The opening match of the Women’s Asia Cup 2024 will feature a clash between Nepal and UAE at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium in Sri Lanka on Friday, July 19. Both teams will be looking to start their campaign on a winning note in this highly anticipated encounter.

Nepal Women, returning to the Asia Cup after last participating in 2016, will be eager to prove their mettle against a strong UAE side. Led by their experienced captain, Indu Barma, the Nepali team has been in good form, winning four out of their last six matches in the ACC Women’s T20 Premier Cup earlier this year. Their recent victories over Malaysia, Kuwait, Maldives and Bhutan showcase their ability to perform under pressure.

On the other hand, UAE women will be playing in their second consecutive Asia Cup. They will be confident after their impressive run in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier earlier this year. Despite a few losses, they secured wins against Vanuatu, Netherlands, and Ireland, demonstrating their potential to upset higher-ranked teams.

The two teams’ head-to-head records heavily favour UAE, who have a 100 percent win record against Nepal in T20 cricket. However, Nepal will be looking to break this trend and create an upset in the opening match.

Women’s Asia Cup 2024, NEP-W vs UAE-W, Match 1

Date and Time: July 19, 2024; 2 pm IST, 8:30 am GMT
Venue: Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium, Dambulla

Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium Pitch Report

The Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium is known to be a spin-friendly pitch, with spinners accounting for over 65% of the wickets taken in matches played here. The average first-inning score is 159 runs, while the team batting second has managed to chase down a total of 116 runs on average. The weather is expected to be warm and humid, with a temperature around 30°C and 65% humidity.

NEP-W vs UAE-W Dream11 Prediction Picks

Wicketkeeper: Theertha Satish
Batters: Samnjana Khadka
All-rounders: Rubina Chhetri, Indu Barma, Sita Rana Magar, Esha Oza, Kavisha Egodage, Khushi Sharma
Bowlers: Kabita Kunwar, Vaishnave Mahesh, Suraksha Kotte

NEP-W vs UAE-W Dream11 Prediction Captain and Vice-Captain

Choice 1: Kavisha Egodage (c), Rubina Chhetri (vc)
Choice 2: Sita Rana Magar (c), Vaishnave Mahesh (vc)

NEP-W vs UAE-W Dream11 Team for today’s match (July 19, 2024, 8:30 am GMT)

(Screenshot: Dream 11)

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Squads

Nepal Women: Indu Barma (c), Sita Rana Magar, Rajmati Airee, Rubina Chhetri, Dolly Bhatta, Mamta Chaudhary, Kabita Joshi, Kabita Kunwar, Kritika Marasini, Puja Mahato, Bindu Rawal, Roma Thapa, Sabnam Rai, Samnjana Khadka, Kajal Sreshtha (wk).

United Arab Emirates Women: Esha Oza (c), Theertha Satish (wk), Emily Thomas, Samaira Dharnidharka, Kavisha Egodage, Lavanya Keny, Khushi Sharma, Indhuja Nandakumar, Rinitha Rajith, Rishitha Rajith, Vaishnave Mahesh, Suraksha Kotte, Heena Hotchandani, Mehak Thakur, Rithika Rajith

Also READ: Women’s Asia Cup 2024: Here are the complete squads of all 8 teams

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