India Women vs Pakistan Women, Match 9, Group A – Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2026 The arch-rivals meet again under the lights in Dubai as India Women take on Pakistan Women in Match 9, Group A of the Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2026. India arrive as overwhelming favourites after two commanding wins, while Pakistan will be looking to spring a surprise and boost their semi-final hopes.
Dubai’s surface in this Asia Cup has generally started true for the new ball before slowing down, with spinners gaining more control as the innings progresses. Teams have often chased successfully here, but scores of around 130+ have proven competitive, especially when defended with quality spin and tight death bowling.
Evenings in Dubai remain hot and humid. Temperatures are expected to hover around 36–37°C at start time, with humidity making it feel closer to 47–48°C. Light north-westerly winds (8–12 mph) and 50–60% humidity are forecast, with no rain threat, so a full 20-over contest is likely.
India have already secured a semi-final spot after crushing Thailand and Hong Kong, showcasing their batting firepower and bowling depth. For Pakistan, who have one win over Thailand, this game is a key test of their top order and powerplay execution before a softer final group fixture against Hong Kong. A competitive performance here would not only lift confidence but also fine-tune their plans for the knockouts.
India come in with strong momentum, posting big totals and restricting opponents comfortably. Their openers have laid solid platforms, though the middle order has shown some vulnerability after early wickets. Pakistan, meanwhile, rely on a disciplined bowling unit and are looking for more consistency from their batters in the powerplay and middle overs.
IND-W vs PAK-W Match Details
- Match/League/Season: India Women vs Pakistan Women, Match 9, Group A – Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2026
- Date: Saturday, 5 September 2026
- Time: 6:30 PM local (GST, Dubai) | 8:00 PM IST
- Venue: Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai, UAE
- Broadcast (India): Sony Sports Ten 1 (English), Sony Sports Ten 3 (Hindi), Sony Sports Ten 4 (Tamil/Telugu/Kannada); Live streaming on SonyLIV
Live Streaming Info:
WILLOW HD will be live.
Live Score Info: : ESPN and Cricbuzz have live scores.
Head-to-Head Summary
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Total T20Is played: 17
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India Women wins: 14
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Pakistan Women wins: 3
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Tied/No result: 0
Last five T20I meetings (most recent first):
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14 June 2026 (T20 World Cup, Birmingham): India won by 64 runs
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6 October 2024 (T20 World Cup): India won by 6 wickets
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19 July 2024 (Asia Cup): India won by 7 wickets
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12 February 2023 (T20 World Cup): India won by 7 wickets
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7 October 2022 (Asia Cup, Sylhet): Pakistan won by 13 runs
In the Women’s T20 Asia Cup specifically, India lead 5–1 against Pakistan, with Pakistan’s sole win coming in Sylhet in 2022.
Team Analysis: India Women
Strengths: Explosive top order, deep bowling options with quality spin, and excellent fielding standards. Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma have been in rich form, giving India strong starts.
Weaknesses: Middle-order consolidation after early wickets has looked a touch shaky in patches, with a noticeable drop-off after the openers in one game.
Key Players:
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Smriti Mandhana: In sublime touch, leading the run charts and providing stability at the top.
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Shafali Verma: Aggressive powerplay batter who can shift momentum quickly.
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Deepti Sharma: Crucial with both bat and ball, offering control and breakthroughs in the middle.
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N Shree Charani: Ranked highly among T20I spinners, her turn and variations trouble batters on slowing tracks.
Recent performances show India posting totals beyond their opponents’ reach, with bowlers consistently hitting their lengths in the middle and death overs.
Team Analysis: Pakistan Women
Strengths: Disciplined spin attack, improving powerplay bowling, and a resilient lower middle order that can rebuild.
Weaknesses: Inconsistent top-order contributions against high-quality bowling, and occasional lapses in the field under pressure.
Key Players:
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Muneeba Ali: Experienced wicketkeeper-batter, close to 100 T20Is and a vital anchor at the top.
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Shawaal Zulfiqar: Aggressive opener who can change gears in the powerplay; yet to face India in T20Is.
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Fatima Sana: Captain and lead bowler, important with new ball and in death overs.
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Nashra Sandhu: Left-arm spinner with a good record against India’s key batters, including Mandhana and Harmanpreet.
Pakistan’s win over Thailand highlighted their bowling strength, but they need bigger contributions from their top three to challenge India’s depth.
Probable Playing XIs
Probable XI (India Women): Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Pratika Rawal, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Richa Ghosh (wk), Bharti Fulmali, Deepti Sharma, Prema Rawat, Nandani Sharma, N Shree Charani, Kranti Gaud
Probable XI (Pakistan Women): Muneeba Ali (wk), Shawaal Zulfiqar, Gull Feroza, Ayesha Zafar, Sadaf Shamas, Fatima Sana (c), Umm-e-Hani, Eyman Fatima, Tuba Hassan, Nashra Sandhu, Sadia Iqbal
Given the form gap, batting depth, and superior spin options, India Women are clear favourites to extend their dominance over Pakistan in T20Is. If India’s openers fire and their spinners exploit the slowing Dubai surface, a total in the 140–160 range could be enough to secure a comfortable win. Pakistan’s best chance lies in early wickets against Mandhana and Shafali, followed by tight middle-overs from Sandhu and Tuba Hassan to restrict India’s middle order.
India Women to win, likely by 25–40 runs or 6–8 wickets depending on toss and first-innings tempo.