One of sport's great rivalries will play out its latest chapter in the Bay of Plenty this weekend when India take on Pakistan in the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup.

The two great cricketing neighbours face off at Mount Maunganui's Bay Oval on Sunday, March 6 and for the Indian and Pakistani community in Tauranga it is a momentous occasion.

Bay of Plenty Migrant Indian Women's Group member Dipika Patel is volunteering at the tournament. She reminisces about cricket-mad fans crowding around to watch cricket on the one TV in her village as a child. She believes that the women's version of the rivalry is friendlier in nature than the sometimes vitriolic men's rivalry that has rumbled on since the 1950s.

'I think it is more that both teams want to have peace and an understanding of good sportsmanship,” says Dipika.

Not that it won't still have Dipika feeling patriotic when India step onto the field this weekend.

'I think it brings back the spirituality of your patriotism, even after spending 20 years in New Zealand that cricket is such a binding game,” she explains.

Saima Anis has lived in Tauranga for nine years but is acutely aware of the cricket's appeal in her home nation of Pakistan and their neighbours.

'We breathe cricket in Pakistan and in India,” says Saima.

'Every day on every street there will be people playing cricket. That's how we grew up and we will always be a part of that.”

Whilst Covid-19 is likely to restrict the fan presence at the Bay Oval, Saima will be watching on from home, and expects the region's Pakistani contingent to make up for diminished numbers.

'Whenever Pakistan have matches here we are there,” she says.

'To be honest, the whole community will be there and our voices will be hoarse with the shouting and encouragement we give our team.”

Northern Districts representative Nensi Patel has high hopes of representing the White Ferns at a World Cup in the future but was actually born in India, moving to New Zealand when she was just six-years-old.

The former Tauranga Girls' College says having her hometown host such a pivotal fixture means a lot to her.

'India v Pakistan is always a thriller,” she says.

'It is two great countries coming together to play. It will be really exciting to see how the two teams play against each other.”

Saima Anis and friends enjoying the action when Pakistan recently played at the Bay Oval. Supplied photo.

Potential future stars like Nensi are one of the reasons both Saima and Dipika are happy to see the World Cup in New Zealand.

'For women's cricket it is another just huge step,” says Saima.

'There are a lot of stereotypes women have had to break to get to the where they are so I am very proud of the cricket team.”

Whilst the two will be opposing fans on Sunday, this is something they can agree on.

'Back in our day girls were not even allowed to go and watch or enjoy cricket,” says Dipika.

'So from that stage to this stage, with the women's team coming here to play cricket, I think we need to promote that.

'I hope it can also inspire a new generation of girls.”

Pakistan v India takes place at the Bay Oval on Sunday, March 6 from 2pm.