Women’s T20 World Cup 2024: Why Pooja Vastrakar is not playing against Pakistan?

Pooja Vastrakar. (Source – Getty Images)

India Women (IND-W) are locking horns with arch-rivals Pakistan Women (PAK-W) in the seventh group match of the ongoing Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, in Dubai, on Sunday, October 6. Pakistan skipper Fatima Sana called it correctly at the toss and opted to bat first. Women in Green have made one change to their side, as Syeda Aroob Shah replaced pacer Diana Baig.

On the other hand, India entered the fray with one big change in their XI. Star all-rounder Pooja Vastrakar misses due to an injury sustained. Interestingly, she was injured ahead of India’s first game of the tournament against New Zealand, but featured in that game. But after bowling one over she didn’t come to bowl one more and fielded in the whole game. Vastrakar has been replaced by Sajeevan Sajana, who will play her tenth T20I game.

“We would have batted first as well, but we’ll have to bowl well and restrict them. We have one change, Pooja is out with an injury, she’s replaced by Sajana. We’ll have to move forward with a positive approach, it’s always how you bounce back and we’ve spoken about it. We will go out there and play some positive cricket,” Harmanpreet Kaur said at the toss.

Also Read: ‘Every game from here is so crucial for us’ – Jemimah Rodrigues ahead of T20 World Cup clash against Pakistan

On the other hand, the Pakistan skipper looked optimistic about leading her side against the neighbouring country. Though without the experienced Baig, Fatima Sana was hopeful of putting up a good show against India.

“We will bat first, put up a total on the board. Diana Baig misses out, that’s the only change, she’s replaced by Arooba. It’s a big blow, but we’ve players who can do well in her absence. We’ll try to put up a good total here. I’m excited to lead Pakistan against India,” Sana said at the toss.

Also Read: Women’s T20 World Cup 2024: Poonam Yadav backs India to bounce back against Pakistan after New Zealand drubbing

India Women (Playing XI):

Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Arundhati Reddy, S Sajana, Shreyanka Patil, Asha Sobhana, Renuka Thakur Singh.

Pakistan Women (Playing XI):

Muneeba Ali (wk), Gull Feroza, Sidra Amin, Nida Dar, Aliya Riaz, Omaima Sohail, Fatima Sana (c), Tuba Hassan, Nashra Sandhu, Syeda Aroob Shah, Sadia Iqbal.