Women's World Cup 2022: Mithali Raj and Bismah Maroof exchange pleasantaries ahead of Indo-Pak clash

With India and Pakistan going against each other in their much-awaited clash at the ongoing Women’s World Cup, the captains of their respective teams were seen exchanging pleasantries on the eve of the match. The more experienced Indian captain, Mithali Raj was seen talking with her Pakistani counterpart, Bismah Maroof. They both appeared to be enjoying the conversation as they carried wide smiles on their faces.

The two teams will meet each other in match four of the World Cup in Mount Maunganui on March 6. The tournament so far has been an exciting one with a couple of games going down to the wire. India and Pakistan will both be playing their opening fixtures in the mega event. Notably, both sides had won each of their two warm-up games leading into the competition.

We are not looking at it as it’s Pakistan we are playing against: Mithali Raj

Commenting on the hype surrounding their game against arch-rivals Pakistan, Raj commented that for the team it is just another game and they are wanting to start the campaign with a win. She feels Pakistan are well prepared and so are they. For the Indian captain, it is all about setting the right momentum going into the tournament.

“I think as a team we are excited to get into the World Cup and starting our campaign tomorrow. It’s the first game, we are not looking at it as it’s Pakistan we are playing against, we’re looking at a team which has come prepared and we are equally prepared to put our best foot forward and we want to set a momentum going into the tournament, so that’s how we look at our first game,” said Mithali, as reported by ICC.

The two neighbouring countries have so far competed in 10 ODIs with India winning all 10. However, Pakistan has shown better performances in the recent past and are expected to put on a good show against India. The 2017 finalists, India, lost a heartbreaking final in the previous edition and would be wanting to start their campaign with a win.