Group 2 Preview: Can anyone stop England and India?
A pair of semi-final spots are on the line for the five teams in Group 2, with the world’s second and fourth-ranked sides the favourites to qualify.
But both India and England will need to be on their toes against opponents who possess plenty of talent.
A huge clash between India and Pakistan headlines the opening weekend of the tournament in Group 2 and could set the tone for how the group unfolds.
England and West Indies meet in the second game of the tournament, while Ireland will have to wait for day four until their first appearance.
England head into the tournament ranked second in the world and with some fine form behind them.
Heather Knight’s side have added power to the top order and have a spin attack that is the envy of the world.
England have reached at least the semi-finals in six of the seven past T20 World Cups and have been in the final of each of the last two 50-over World Cups, and it would be a shock if they failed to reach the final four again this time around.
But the English are unlikely to have it all their own way in Group 2.
India are on the march in the T20 format and will be eyeing much more than just a top-two finish in Group 2.
A T20I Team Ranking of fourth in the world is slightly misleading given the quality of the tours that India have undertaken in the last year. Forcing Australia to a Super Over was hugely encouraging, building on the positives of their win in the second T20I in Derby on the tour of England last summer.
Reaching the semi-finals will be the minimum aim for this talented Indian squad. The group meeting with England will be fascinating, and if they do make it to the semi-finals then all bets are off.
Irelandmay be the lowest-ranked team at the tournament, but the Group 2 underdogs are in fine form.
A shock win over Australia in the warm-up matches is the latest indicator that this talented side are developing into something special.
West Indies endured a torrid build-up toward the tournament, not aided by a run of fixtures against an in-form England.
How Hayley Matthews performs will be key, and it will be intriguing to see who can fill the void left behind by some absent big names.
For Pakistan, the huge first game gives them a chance to get their campaign off to a rollicking start.
The nation’s women’s team have not made it beyond the group stage in any of their previous T20 World Cup appearances, but are now armed with greater options with the ball and more strength in depth with the bat.