All eyes are on Colombo as India prepares to take on Pakistan on October 5th in the ongoing Women’s World Cup. Following a strong 59-run victory over Sri Lanka, India is riding high, while Pakistan is reeling from a heavy defeat against Bangladesh, having been bowled out for a mere 129 runs. Given this context, former Indian cricketer Saba Karim firmly believes that India enters this high-stakes match as the undisputed favorites.
Saba Karim has predicted yet another one-sided affair when India face Pakistan in the ICC Women’s World Cup on October 5.
When questioned if this particular fixture would be India’s most challenging of the tournament, Karim was unequivocal. ‘Not at all,’ he stated. ‘The real tests will come against powerhouses like England, Australia, and New Zealand. Pakistan, having emerged from the qualifiers, will find it incredibly tough facing a side of India’s caliber. India is simply a far superior team,’ Saba Karim, a cricket expert, shared these thoughts with the press during a recent Media Day event preceding the highly anticipated India vs. Pakistan clash in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup India 2025.
Karim also touched upon the logistical aspect, pointing out that Pakistan is playing all their World Cup matches in Colombo. He emphasized that this home advantage wouldn’t necessarily benefit them due to their current skill level. ‘To truly leverage home conditions, you need a strong, high-quality team, and regrettably, Pakistan isn’t quite there yet,’ he elaborated.
Analyzing the pitches in Colombo, Karim underscored India’s formidable spin attack. ‘The wickets are known to be low and offer significant turn. Pakistan visibly struggled against spin in their opening match against Bangladesh, with spinners claiming the majority of wickets,’ he explained. ‘India, with talented and effective spinners like Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, and the genuine left-arm spinner Shree Charani, will undoubtedly capitalize on this. They are a well-rounded side and will undoubtedly start as favorites against Pakistan.’
The political implications surrounding the match were also discussed. Karim confirmed that the Indian women’s team would emulate their male counterparts from the Asia Cup by not shaking hands with the Pakistani players. ‘While not to the same intensity, the BCCI’s position on this is crystal clear,’ Karim stated. ‘The Indian women’s team will adopt the same approach as the men’s team did during the Asia Cup. I highly doubt there will be any handshakes with the Pakistani cricketers. This stance is firm, and India will adhere to it. Once you move past any initial controversy and shift focus entirely to the game, it becomes much simpler. There might be some initial chatter, but once on the field, the concentration will be purely on cricket,’ he elaborated.
The concept of rivalry was also brought up, with a nod to Surya Kumar Yadav’s previous comments on the men’s head-to-head records. Karim offered his definition of a true rivalry: ‘For me, a rivalry truly exists when two teams are consistently evenly matched, when their encounters are always closely fought, and when players push themselves beyond 100% on the field.’ Turning to the women’s game, he openly acknowledged India’s overwhelming dominance. ‘In Women’s One-Day Internationals against Pakistan, India has a flawless winning record. Most of these contests have been decidedly one-sided,’ Karim remarked. ‘India is significantly ahead in terms of skill, available resources, and the unwavering support from the BCCI. This widening gap clearly demonstrates how far India has progressed. Therefore, this isn’t a rivalry in its traditional sense.’
The former cricketer also highlighted the growing confidence within the Indian squad, particularly after their opening victory. ‘In their first game, India faced an early challenge, losing four wickets quickly. However, the team displayed remarkable resilience,’ he noted. ‘Before, there was a perception that the batting burden rested primarily on Smriti Mandana and Harmanpreet Kaur, but other players have now risen to the occasion. This newfound depth will be a tremendous asset when they face Pakistan.’
Discussions also touched on the fitness of key bowlers. Renuka Singh Thakur, who was sidelined due to a stress fracture, is a strong contender for inclusion against Pakistan. ‘There’s a significant chance she’ll play,’ Karim stated. ‘Renuka is crucial with the new ball, particularly against right-handed batters, a weakness Pakistan has clearly shown. India possesses the flexibility to adjust their lineup based on the specific match conditions.’
When prompted about potential threats from Pakistani players, Karim offered a cautious but firm assessment. He indicated that while no individual Pakistani player presents a significant threat, the Indian team will, of course, prepare thoroughly for them. His overall sentiment remained that India is vastly superior, though he stressed that no opponent should ever be underestimated.
Karim concluded by emphasizing that despite India’s overwhelmingly positive head-to-head record against Pakistan, adhering to fundamental cricketing principles will be crucial. ‘India boasts a potent batting line-up, considerable depth in their bowling department, and experienced all-rounders,’ he affirmed. ‘Our spinners, in particular, are a genuine advantage. If the team remains focused and effectively manages pressure, they are well-equipped to comfortably overcome Pakistan and build momentum for a successful, extended run in the World Cup.’