India and Pakistan clash at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Friday in Group A of the Women’s Asia Cup 2026.
India have already booked their semi-final spot with two wins from two matches against Thailand and Hong Kong, while Pakistan must win to stay in contention.
The head-to-head record heavily favours India, who have won 14 of 17 T20I meetings against Pakistan and hold a 6-1 record in T20 Asia Cup games.
India’s Smriti Mandhana is in prime form, having smashed 124 off 64 balls in the win over Hong Kong.
The Dubai surface is expected to slow down as the match progresses, putting a premium on spin bowling and patient batting.
Pakistan need victory in this match to keep their own last-four hopes alive, after opening the tournament with a dominant win over Thailand.
India hold a commanding head-to-head record in the rivalry, having won 14 of 17 T20I meetings against Pakistan, including a 6-1 record in T20 Asia Cup fixtures specifically.
The sides last met at the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup, where India won by 64 runs.
Smriti Mandhana arrives in outstanding form, having scored 124 off 64 balls against Hong Kong in India’s previous group match.
Spinner Deepti Sharma took three for nine against Hong Kong and has previously claimed figures of 5-10 against Pakistan at the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup.
Pakistan’s Nashra Sandhu has a strong record against India specifically, with six wickets in seven matches against them at an economy of 5.47.
The pitch at Dubai International Cricket Stadium is expected to play slowly, favouring spin bowling and rewarding batters who are patient in the early overs.
The match is being played as the 9th fixture of Group A at the Women’s Asia Cup 2026, with the winner strengthening their position ahead of the knockout stage.
Photo of Smriti Mandhana, Wikimedia Commons, GODL-India
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