Lahore: Pakistan captain Fatima Sana has said her team is not focusing solely on the high-profile clash against Harmanpreet Kaur-led India in the upcoming ICC Women’s T20 World Cup and instead intends to treat every match in the tournament with equal importance.

Pakistan and India are placed in Group A and are scheduled to meet on June 14 at Edgbaston Cricket Ground in Birmingham.

Pakistan aiming for balanced approach in tournament

Speaking during a training camp in Lahore, Fatima said the team was preparing for the tournament as a whole and was not placing extra emphasis on a single fixture.

According to her, every match in the competition carries importance due to the nature of T20 cricket, where momentum and results can change rapidly.

“Obviously, we are well-prepared, and the World Cup is such an event in which every match is important,” Fatima said while interacting with media during the camp.

She added that India-Pakistan encounters always attract attention, but the team’s focus would remain on delivering strong performances throughout the tournament.

India hold historical advantage over Pakistan

India have historically maintained an upper hand against Pakistan in Women’s T20 Internationals.

Since 2009, India have won 13 of the 16 T20I matches played between the two sides.

In the Women’s T20 World Cup as well, India hold a 6-2 record against Pakistan in previous meetings.

The fixture between the neighbouring countries is expected to draw considerable attention due to the rivalry and their past encounters in ICC events.

Pakistan enter tournament with positive momentum

Pakistan head into the tournament after a successful home series against Zimbabwe, where they completed a 3-0 clean sweep.

Fatima Sana played a key role during the series and registered the fastest fifty in Women’s T20 Internationals, reaching the milestone in just 15 balls.

The achievement surpassed the previous jointly held record of Sophie Devine, Phoebe Litchfield and Richa Ghosh.

Apart from her batting performances, Fatima is also regarded as an effective pace bowler capable of generating movement with the ball.

Pakistan face challenging group stage schedule

Fatima was appointed Pakistan captain last year after replacing Nida Dar and has since led the side in major international tournaments.

Following the Zimbabwe series, Pakistan are scheduled to participate in a tri-series involving Ireland and West Indies in Dublin from May 28 to June 4.

Along with India, Pakistan’s group stage opponents include Laura Wolvaardt’s South Africa, Sophie Molineux’s Australia, Nigar Sultana Joty’s Bangladesh and Babette de Leede’s Netherlands.

Pakistan will be aiming to maintain their recent form and progress strongly through a competitive group stage.