🏏ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026: Group A: SA W vs NED W, Pg 17🏏 - Page 12

Bangladesh Women have won the toss and have opted to bat

As for Bangladesh, they had a relatively comfortable outing against Netherlands, winning by six wickets. However, they looked completely clueless against Australia in Leeds in their second game. Struggling against the moving ball, they were bundled out for just 77, which Australia chased down with more than 10 overs to spare. While their bowling has shown signs of promise

, the batting unit will need to click collectively if they are to overcome Pakistan today. Let’s see how things unfold. Toss coming up shortly...

Pakistan have shown promise in patches. While they were outplayed by India, they displayed tremendous fighting spirit against South Africa, led admirably by their skipper Fatima Sana. However, a below-par total once again proved to be their undoing. Hurt and hungry, Pakistan will be desperate to bounce back and secure a win today to keep their semifinal hopes alive. For that to happen, they will need stronger support for Fatima Sana from both the batting and bowling units.

Congratulations to Australia for winning the match.

Congratulations to Beth Mooney for winning the PoTM award.

Australia Women

219/6

Netherlands Women

(20 ov, T:220) 121/3

AUS Women won by 98 runs

Bangladesh Women

(2.4/20 ov) 9/2

Pakistan Women

BAN Women chose to bat.

Stats view

Current RR: 3.37

Live Forecast:

BAN-W 133

Bangladesh Women

(6/20 ov) 23/3

Pakistan Women

BAN Women chose to bat.

Stats view

Current RR: 3.83

• Last 5 ov (RR): 18/3 (3.60)

Live Forecast:

BAN-W 114

Congratulations to Bangladesh W for their win against Pak W.

“It’s not our skill. We just need to be more skillful in the mindset.” A visibly pained Fatima Sana signed off the post-match interview with that remark. It may sound like a cliche, but Pakistan have some serious introspection to do.

Congratulations to Bangladesh for winning the match.

Congratulations to Shorna Akter for winning the PoTM award.

Cheers..

🏏South Africa Women vs India Women, 18th Match, Group A🏏

Series: ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026

Venue: Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester

Date & Time: Today, 2:30 PM LOCAL

South Africa have lost to Australia, and in a bid to gain a massive Net Run Rate advantage, struggled their way past Pakistan. But India, despite two big wins, are far from the version they would like to present of themselves. Concerns are aplenty: the middle order - barring Richa Ghosh - hasn't come to the party, the No 5. is still a bit of a toss-up between Yastika Bhatia and Bharti Fulmali, and the bowling attack is now without the services of Shreyanka Patil, one of the team's best operators in the death.

The uncapped Prema Rawat, drafted into the team as Shreyanka's replacement, had a long stint in the nets on Thursday, the morning of her arrival. However, Aavishkar Salvi, the bowling coach, has backed Radha Yadav - the team's other spin option - to come good if presented with an opportunity. Radha had a fairly productive range-hitting session a day ahead of the match, tonking some long sixes - especially over deep cover region. Even as her bowling stocks have gone down over the past few years, given her record against South Africa (16 wickets at 15.81), she could be a useful addition to the line-up, that would also be aided by her batting muscle at No. 8.

South Africa have concerns of their own - from their inability to stitch partnerships to the struggles with rotating the strike. The return of Shabnim Ismail has added some venom to their bowling attack, but they would need stronger contributions from the batters.

Now heading into the crucial clash, there is no time to think through all that is not working or all the mistakes they've made. "We can't really focus on all the bad that we've done...making sure that we understand the plan ahead of us. We know that destiny is in our hands right now," Chloe Tryon asserted.

For all the back stories, and records set to be broken, the recent bilateral series performances between the two teams might count for little. The contest still holds its worth of hype.

When: Saturday, June 21, 2026, 2:30 PM Local/7:00 PM IST

Where: South Africa vs India, Match 18, Old Trafford, Manchester

What to expect: It's a fresh pitch, not the slower one that was used in the previous two games at this venue. Moreover, it is central to all sides of the boundary - approximately 62 metres. While scoring was a bit challenging in the previous games, India's bowling coach isn't sure how the conditions might play given the unpredictability of the weather in Manchester.

Team News:

India: Legspinner Prema Rawat has come in as a replacement for the injured Shreyanka Patil, who has been ruled out of the World Cup. She had a long practice session in the nets on Thursday, with both bat and ball. She could be in contention for a place in the side, competing with Radha Yadav - both of whom also add value as fielders and with the bat.

Probable XI: Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Yastika Bhatia, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur, Richa Ghosh, Deepti Sharma, Radha Yadav/Prema Rawat, Shree Charani, Kranti Gaud, Nandni Sharma

South Africa: Despite two scratchy batting performances, South Africa are unlikely to make any changes to their side.

Probable XI: Laura Wolvaardt, Sune Luus, Annerie Dercksen, Marizanne Kapp, Nadine de Klerk, Chloe Tryon, Kayla Reyneke, Sinola Jafta, Shabnim Ismail, Ayabonga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba

Did you know?

- Harmanpreet Kaur is set to become the first player in the world - men or women - to play 200 T20Is

- Deepti Sharma is one wicket away from becoming the highest wicket-taker in women's internationals

- Harmanpreet Kaur is set to become only the second woman - after Charlotte Edwards - to captain in 200 internationals