India, the undisputed queen of the Women’s Asia Cup, is gearing up for another dominant performance in the tournament, which serves as a vital preparation ground for the upcoming T20 World Cup. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur, a seasoned leader, asserted the team’s commitment to the Asia Cup, viewing it as a platform to refine their skills and solidify their position on the world stage.
“This tournament is very important for all of us because we give equal respect to this tournament and want to improve at the Asian as well as at the world level. “So our focus will remain same as we prepare for the T20 World Cup or any other World Cup. Each and every game is important for us and we will try to give our best,” Harmanpreet stated during the captains’ press conference.
The Harmanpreet-led squad enters the tournament as the clear favorite, boasting an impressive track record in the Women’s Asia Cup T20, with 17 victories in 20 matches. Their triumph over Bangladesh in the 2022 final solidified their standing as the team to beat. Their dominance extends beyond the tournament itself, as they have consistently proven their mettle against Pakistan in the shortest format, securing 11 wins against just three defeats in their 14 encounters.
The rivalry between India and Pakistan is always a spectacle, and this year’s opening match promises to be no different. “We always enjoy playing against Pakistan but each and every team is important. Whenever we go and play, we always want to play good cricket and we will follow the same method,” Harmanpreet emphasized on the eve of the crucial clash.
Pakistan skipper Nida Dar recognizes India’s strength and acknowledges the learning opportunities presented by the upcoming match. “We just wanted to play against India because we had some good experiences and the way they are playing is great. Their approach in T20 is great, we have seen their approach. So this series is very important as at least we can learn from them,” Dar remarked.
Joining India and Pakistan in the tournament are host Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Nepal, Thailand, and the United Arab Emirates. The stage is set for a thrilling competition as teams vie for supremacy in the region and valuable experience ahead of the T20 World Cup.
