We have to outclass India, Nain Abidi issues rallying call

Pakistan prepare to take on India in a Women’s Asia Cup top-of-the-table clash on June 9 at the Kinrara Academy Oval in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia with both sides looking for a win to secure their place in the final.

Pakistan and India both have suffered shock defeats to Bangladesh in their journey to the top of the table and now must win this match to ensure their path to the final, which is scheduled to take place on June 10.

The top two sides after tomorrow’s matches, where Pakistan take on India, Bangladesh take on hosts Malaysia and Sri Lanka take on Thailand, will make it to the final and Pakistan batsman Nain Abidi has issued a rallying call to her teammates to give all they can against India.

"Our confidence is high after two consecutive victories and we want to do well against India too," said Nain. "In order to win against our rivals, it is important that we outclass India in all three departments of the game."

Meanwhile, the in-form Nida Dar, who has bagged back-to-back player of the match awards in her last two games for Pakistan, is looking to carry her momentum into the all-important clash with the arch-rivals.

"Indo-Pak match is always a high intensity pressure game but we want to continue our good run of form by putting up a good show in this crucial match," said Nida.

Squads

India Women: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Taniya Bhatia (wk), Ekta Bisht, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Jhulan Goswami, Veda Krishnamurthy, Smriti Mandhana, Mona Meshram, Shikha Pandey, Anuja Patil, Mithali Raj, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Pooja Vastrakar, Poonam Yadav

Pakistan Women: Bismah Maroof(c), Muneeba Ali, Nahida Khan, Javeria Rauf, Nain Abidi, Javeria Khan, Sidra Nawaz, Nida Dar, Kainat Imtiaz, Sana Mir, Nashra Sandhu, Anam Amin, Natalia Pervaiz, Diana Baig