Women's T20 World Cup 2023: Smriti Mandhana ruled out from Pakistan fixture due to finger injury

Star Indian opener Smriti Mandhana has been ruled out from India's Women's T20 World Cup 2023 opener against arch-rivals Pakistan. The top-order batter is battling a finger injury, and it has ruled her out of the high-profile clash against Pakistan in Cape Town on February 12.

The trailblazing opener did not bat in India's last warm-up game against Bangladesh. While it could have been a tactical move by the team management to provide ample game time to the other batters, reports claimed that Mandhana was seen with a heavily-bandaged middle finger on her left hand during the game.

Reports claim that the 26-year-old injured her finger during India's first warm-up game against Australia. It will be a big blow for the Women in Blue, given their frailty with the bat of late and would want to start their World Cup campaign with a win. The Maharashtra-born cricketer is going through an uncharacteristically lean run with the bat and an injury can further dampen her spirits ahead of the ICC mega event. 

India, who are one of the strong contenders for the trophy along with favourites Australia and England, head into the tournament after losing the tri-series finale in South Africa in a thrilling contest. Apart from Mandhana, there are rumours of Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur also missing out on the crunch game against Pakistan due to a shoulder niggle. 

The Indian skipper is thought to have hurt her shoulder during India's tri-series final against hosts South Africa earlier this month. If true, it couldn't have come at a worse time for the Asian side, who are looking to end their trophy drought in ICC events in the upcoming tournament.

Meanwhile, the Chamari Athapaththu-led Sri Lanka won the tournament opener by defeating Sune Luus' South Africa at Newlands in Cape Town. Chamari scored a match-winning fifty to lead the charge from the front.

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