The desperation in the Indian camp can be gauged from the fact that they held their second successive pre-match practice session at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Saturday evening, while no other team have had this privilege even once. That’s because, going into the final league match against Australia here on Sunday, India’s fate is not entirely in their hands. Even if they manage to beat the defending champions, they will have to wait for the outcome of the New Zealand v Pakistan match on Monday to know if they have made it to the semi-finals of the Women’s T20 World Cup.

Overcoming Australia won’t be easy, even though they have injury concerns over two of their top players. Their skipper Alyssa Healy and pace bowler Tayla Vlaeminck suffered injuries and had to retire during the game against Pakistan in Dubai on Friday. Despite that, they trounced Pakistan to race to the top of Group A. Having won all three games, they have six points and a massive NRR of 2.786. That leaves India and New Zealand battling for the second knockout spot from the group.