India Women meet Pakistan in Dubai with their semi-final place already secured

India arrive at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium unbeaten and already through to the Women's Asia Cup semi-finals, which changes what their meeting with Pakistan is for

The ninth match of the group stage is the one the tournament was built around, and for once it carries no qualification weight for the side that usually decides these occasions. India won their opening two matches, against Thailand and Hong Kong, and cannot now be caught in the top two of Group A.

That does not make the fixture an exhibition. The top of Group A is still to be settled, and India have spent the week talking about a batting order that has not yet had to work hard for its runs.

Pakistan, still short of a marquee win in this competition, have every reason to treat it as the biggest game of their tournament.

What India still want from the group stage

Harmanpreet Kaur's side have won both games without being examined. Hong Kong were beaten heavily after Smriti Mandhana made 124 from 64 balls, an innings that flattered a total India were never going to have to defend under pressure.

The middle order has had almost nothing to do as a result. Richa Ghosh, Deepti Sharma and Harmanpreet herself have had few overs at the crease, and a competitive total to chase or defend would tell the management more than another comfortable win.

India are also without Jemimah Rodrigues, ruled out of the tournament with a hamstring tear, with Pratika Rawal called up in her place.

Pakistan's route through the group

Pakistan opened with a 35-run win over Thailand, captain Fatima Sana choosing to bat and then trusting her spinners to defend the total. It was a straightforward night, and it left them second in the group.

They have two matches left, against India and then Hong Kong, and a single point from either would be enough to take them through. In practice that makes the Hong Kong fixture their safety net and this one their opportunity.

The record between the sides

The head-to-head is lopsided. India have won 14 of the 17 T20 internationals the sides have played, and their most recent meeting, at this year's T20 World Cup, went the same way.

Pakistan's batting has been the recurring problem in these games rather than their bowling, which has often kept them in contests the batting could not finish. Muneeba Ali Siddiqui and Sadaf Shamas at the top will need to survive the new ball for longer than they usually manage against India.

Conditions in Dubai

The surface at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium has behaved evenly through the tournament, offering the seamers movement early before slowing enough for spin to matter in the second half of an innings.

That pattern suits a side batting second who are willing to be patient, and it has generally rewarded teams who kept wickets in hand rather than chasing an early rate. The forecast is hot and clear, with no rain expected.

What comes next

The semi-finals are on 10 and 11 September, with the winner of Group A drawn against the runner-up from Group B, where Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, the United Arab Emirates and tournament debutants Indonesia are playing.

The final is on 13 September. India are the most successful side in the competition's history, with seven titles.

India and Pakistan meet in the ninth match of Group A at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, with India already assured of a semi-final place.

Catch the match live updates, highlights, and full match coverage on CricRadio. Get fast, accurate, and ad-free updates throughout the game. Download the CricRadio app from the Play Store to stay connected. You can also get the live scores of cricket series directly on the CricRadio website for real-time coverage.