India-W beat UAE-W by 104 runs at Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, Sylhet, in their previous encounter.

Radha Yadav bowls a short delivery to Esha Oza, who misfires her lofted shot and takes one run backwards through deep fine leg. Heena then concedes four runs as Shafali sweeps it toward square leg for four.

Harmanpreet Kaur (c)

The skipper expertly times and strikes the ball to hit a gap at deep mid wicket between two fielders for four runs at deep mid wicket. She then sweeps it toward square leg to score four more as India reached 200 for the first time ever in T20 Internationals.

Kaur reached her half-century in just 29 deliveries and passed former Australia captain Meg Lanning as the second-most runs scored in T20Is, becoming only the youngest Indian woman to do so. A brilliant 75 run partnership between herself and Jemimah Rodrigues saw India safely through the PowerPlay.

Richa Ghosh (wk)

Richa successfully executes a square cut towards point, past two fielders for a boundary. She then moves the ball toward mid off for another run before Jemimah exerted all her strength into her shot to send it towards mid off for another FOUR!

Deepti Sharma’s over yields 6 runs. Kavisha Egodage hits an accurate delivery from Renuka Singh for six. Esha Oza then hits one from short delivery but Renuka Singh’s bowling prevents any more runs coming off and thus the over ends with India at 155-4 and Renuka Singh on 2 for 38 wickets preventing any additional scores from accruing – ending it at 155-4 after 2 overs of their innings. 2/38.

Smriti Mandhana (wk)

Smriti Mandhana has scored two fifties from three matches and stands on the verge of her maiden ODI hundred. She has played an instrumental role in propelling India back from an uncertain start by teaming with Jemimah Rodrigues during middle overs.

Deepti Sharma provides an off-stump delivery, which Kavisha Egodage smashes over long-on for a six. Soon afterwards, she drives it towards the covers for four runs as UAE continues their chase of 202 runs.

Shafali Verma (wk)

Shafali Verma has worked hard on her bucket list and recently achieved success at the U-19 World Cup by scoring the winning goal. Now, her focus lies on making India Women’s ODI team and reaching its highest level.

Nida Dar enters the attack, conceding four runs as Shafali sweeps it towards square leg. She attempts a big pull but misses completely; nevertheless, two runs from this over.

UAE Women are batting first following their six-wicket loss against Nepal in their opening match and must win this one to remain alive in the tournament. Esha Oza and Theertha Satish open up with bat and ball respectively.

Jemimah Rodrigues (wk)

Jemimah Rodrigues is a left-arm off spinner who currently represents Yorkshire Diamonds in English Women’s Cricket Twenty20 competition. Born on September 5, 2000 in Mumbai, Jemimah began playing cricket early thanks to encouragement from her father Ivan Rodrigues (an experienced junior coach).

Renuka Singh delivers a maiden over, keeping Esha Oza and Theertha Satish at bay with her mix of deliveries. Satish attempts a drive but is frustrated by movement on her leg side before being caught out by one short delivery that zips past her edge – she manages one single off three balls.

Pooja Vastrakar (wk)

Pooja Vastrakar makes her comeback from an injured lower back and concedes only one run! Esha Oza and Theertha Satish open their bating innings for UAE.

Harmanpreet timed her shot perfectly to hit square leg for four, before expertly slicing past two fielders at deep mid wicket and making another big four!

Women in Blue appear strong and are in good form heading into this tournament opener, having won by seven wickets against Afghanistan Women XI. Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana, and Richa Ghosh can play game-winning innings for them.