Key players: Pakistan

Star of the show

Name: Sana Mir
Role: Off-spinning all-rounder
T20Is: 93
Bowling stats: Wickets – 77; Economy Rate – 5.33; Average – 22.61; Best – 4/13

Mir recently scripted history by becoming the first Pakistani to climb to the summit of the MRF Tyres ICC Women's ODI Rankings for bowlers. Though she has two compatriots ahead of her in Anam Amin and Nida Dar in the Twenty20 International rankings, her experience will make her the most vital cog in Pakistan's wheel.

The 32-year-old is also Pakistan's only player in the Top 15 of the ICC T20I rankings for all-rounders and will have an important role to play with the willow as well.

Mir is one of the leaders of the side, she is a former captain after all, and her skills are for Javeria Khan, the new captain, to use as she pleases – Mir has traditionally delivered more often than she hasn't and is an icon in her country.

One to watch Name: Nashra Sandhu
Role: Left-arm spinner
**T20Is:14Bowling stats:**Wickets – 13; Economy Rate – 4.68; Average – 17.61; Best – 2/7

Pakistan will ride on the shoulders of their bowlers, in the main, to try and go deep in the tournament.

One of the most promising figures in their bowling unit is 20-year-old Nashra Sandhu, who already has a couple of strong T20I performances under her belt. Her average of 17.61 will be of significance for Pakistan, especially as they go up against strong batting line-ups like Australia, India and New Zealand in the tournament.

The left-arm orthodox spinner played an important part in the series victory over Bangladesh in October this year and she might just be Pakistan's X-factor going into the ICC Women's World T20 2018.