Watch: Nida Dar ready to become hero as Pakistan captain fires warning to India ahead of Asia Cup 2024 clash

The Women’s Asia Cup 2024 is all set for a blockbuster start as the defending champion India gears up to face arch-rivals Pakistan in a highly anticipated showdown at Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on Friday, July 19.

The ninth edition of the Women’s Asia Cup 2024 will be hosted in Sri Lanka starting Friday, featuring teams from India, Pakistan, the UAE, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Malaysia.

This tournament will be contested in the T20 format for the fifth consecutive edition, serving as crucial preparation for the upcoming ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, scheduled for later this year.

Women's Asia Cup 2024 set to begin with thrilling India-Pakistan encounter

Well, the Harmanpreet Kaur-led India Women’s Cricket Team is entering the Women’s Asia Cup 2024 as a formidable team, having dominated the tournament with three victories in the last four editions in the T20 format and winning all four titles in the 50-over format.

Coming back to the India vs Pakistan clash, India women have a strong record in the Asia Cup in the T20I format, winning 17 of their 20 matches. In T20I cricket, India has also excelled with 11 victories in 14 encounters against Pakistan women.

Ahead of their Group A clash in the Women’s Cup 2024 against India, Pakistan Women’s Cricket Team captain Nida Dar shared her thoughts on the intense India-Pakistan rivalry and how it fuels her passion and offers the chance to become a hero for her country.

The passion I get from playing India-Pakistan matches is something else: Nida Dar

Dar said that her best performances often come against India due to her passion for cricket and their historic rivalry both on and off the field. She further noted that the excitement surrounding the India vs Pakistan matches motivates her to grab the opportunity to become a hero.

Nida Dar said on Star Sports: “Mostly, if you look at my performances against India, I have had better performances. I have played well against them because my passion for cricket started with India-Pakistan matches. And with the excitement I see in people when India-Pakistan matches are played, you definitely have a chance to become a hero. So, I guess I don't want to lose this chance.”

The Pakistan captain further recalled being shocked when she was dismissed on the first two balls in a World Cup match against India but emphasized that such experiences are part of the game.

We learn a lot of things from India: Nida Dar

Furthermore, Dar hailed India's current form and believes there is much to learn from them, saying playing in India-Pakistan matches brings her an unparalleled passion for the game.

The Pakistan skipper added, "I remember the last match I played against India in the World Cup. I was out on the first two balls, and I was so shocked to see what happened to me. It happens in cricket. But the experience I have had against India is always the best. I think we learn a lot of things from them.

And the way they are playing these days is amazing. So, I guess there are a lot of things to learn and a lot of good experiences. But the passion I get from playing cricket and India-Pakistan matches is something else.”

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