Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar does not want Harmanpreet Kaur-led side’s batters to make the same mistakes as they did against New Zealand in their ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 campaign opener. Manjrekar wants the Indian batters to take a leaf out of former India men's T20I batter Virat Kohli on how to bat on a slow pitch of Dubai when they take on Pakistan in the must-win clash.
"One advice for India against Pakistan would be that we have witnessed that Dubai's pitch is still very slow and fresh. What they did with New Zealand, playing big shots down the pitch. Avoid this and play sensibly. Like Virat Kohli takes ones and twos and if you want to hit a six, don't hit it straight," Manjrekar said in a video posted by Star Sports on X.
Against New Zealand, several Indian batters got caught trying to play a big shot. The highest score for an Indian batter in the innings was 15 by Harmanpreet. Five Indian batters scored in double digits but could not get going as they were bowled out for 102 in 19 overs chasing a target of 161.
Manjrekar backs Richa to shine
Manjrekar also had a few predictions for the match against Fatima Sana's Pakistan who beat Sri Lanka in their opening game. He backed wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh to perform and win the 'Player of the match' award. He also picked Harmanpreet and spinner Asha Sobhana as the other two players to watch out for in the high voltage clash.
"Three players to watch out for. No. 1 Richa Ghosh, number two would be Harmanpreet Kaur. She failed in the first match and this doesn't happen quite often. It almost feels impossible. The third player to watch out for would be Asha Sobhana. 2 Predictions would be that its been years since India beat Pakistan in an afternoon game. So, that will happen. 2nd is that Richa Ghosh would be the Player of the Match. 2 stumpings and a quickfire forty. By doing this she will be the Player of the Match," said the 59-year-old.
Head-to-head in T20 World Cup
Since the inaugural edition in 2009, India and Pakistan have gone up against each other seven times in Women's T20 World Cup. India have won five out of seven times. The last time they faced each other was in 2023. India beat Pakistan by seven wickets.
