'Spin is our strength' - Sana Mir

Sana Mir, the Pakistan women's captain, has said she is banking on her spinners to help her side put up a strong show in the women's World Twenty20.

"Our strength lies in our spin attack," she told reporters at Lord's. "We are planning to make full use of our plus point and do well in this tournament." Mir, a legspinner, has been Pakistan's best bowler in ODIs this year, taking nine wickets at 18.44 in seven matches, and offspinner Sajjida Shah has also turned in some decent performances.

Pakistan finished in a creditable sixth place at the women's World Cup in Australia earlier this year, and Mir hoped to build on that in the World Twenty20. "I believe we are among the favourites in this tournament."

Mir's side has two warm-up games - against West Indies on Monday, and South Africa on Tuesday - before playing their first match of the tournament against Sri Lanka on Friday. England, who were clinical during their World Cup win in March, and India are also in Pakistan's group for the league phase.