Harmanpreet Kaur says, 'Every game is important, you have to give your best'
The tournament will be played from July 19 to 28 at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium. After playing against Pakistan, India will play UAE and Nepal to round out the Group A matches
Dambulla: Ahead of the Women's T20 Asia Cup title defense against Pakistan, India captain Harmanpreet Kaur said winning every game and performing at her best in the tournament is very important. The Asia Cup comes at an important juncture for India, especially with the T20 World Cup in Bangladesh in October.
The tournament will be played from July 19 to 28 at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium. After playing against Pakistan, India will play UAE and Nepal to round out the Group A matches. India are the defending champions and have won the trophy seven times, the most by any team in the tournament.
“This tournament is very important for all of us to prepare ourselves for the T20 World Cup. But at the same time, we always give equal respect to this tournament, because if you do well in the Asian tournament, you can always improve your cricket at the global level.”
“So, I think this tournament is as important for us and our focus will remain the same, as we prepare for the T20 World Cup or any other World Cup. So it is important to win every game and give our best,” Harmanpreet said in the pre-tournament press conference.
India entered the tournament after beating Bangladesh 5–0 and drawing 1–1 with South Africa. “Well, the challenge will be to continue doing the right things we did in the old Asia Cup and we just want to play the same kind of cricket and dominate the other teams. We just want to enjoy our cricket and continue to do what we have done in the history (of this tournament),” added Harmanpreet.
India have an 11-3 lead over Pakistan in the women's T20I meeting and unlike their men's counterparts, they do not face the Nida Dar-led side in bilateral meetings. Asked about the absence of a bilateral series between India and Pakistan, Nida said, “Well, I always wanted to play with India because it is always a great experience and a lot of (big) learning (to take) because of the way they are playing now. Really nice.”
“They have a very aggressive approach in T20s, like how India men play. So I guess the bilateral series is very important for everyone. If they don't learn anything, at least we can learn from them.”
Asked her opinion on the matter, Harmanpreet said, “These things are not in my hands, but whenever we get a chance, we enjoy playing against the Pakistan team. But every team (to play against) is important for us. Whenever we go and play we always want to play good cricket. We have the same mindset here.”
