India’s women’s cricket team claimed a commanding 88-run victory over Pakistan in the ICC Women’s World Cup on Sunday in Mumbai. Strong performances from Harleen Deol, who scored 46 runs, and Richa Ghosh, who contributed a brisk 35, propelled India to a total of 247 runs after winning the toss and opting to bat first.
The match took place at Wankhede Stadium amidst high stakes and tensions. After a confusion surrounding the toss led to Pakistan mistakenly being awarded the option to bowl first, India capitalized on the situation with a disciplined batting and bowling display on a difficult pitch.
Pacer Kranti Gaud emerged as the star with the ball, claiming three wickets for just 20 runs in her spell. Her early wickets dismantled Pakistan’s batting order, and she set the tone for a dominant display. Deepti Sharma and Shree Charani also contributed significantly, taking three and two wickets respectively. Collectively, they restricted Pakistan to just 159 runs in 43 overs.
Despite Sidra Amin’s impressive knock of 81 runs off 106 balls, Pakistan fell short, unable to build partnerships after the initial resistance from Amin and Natalia Pervaiz, who managed 33 runs. After a promising start, the batting collapsed under pressure from India’s bowlers.
The match unfolded with several moments of drama, including a bizarre run-out of Muneeba Ali, who was caught short of her crease after a direct hit from Deepti Sharma. Pakistan’s batting struggled to recover, tumbling to a dismal 26/3 early in their innings.
India’s performance with the bat established a strong foundation. Pratika Rawal started the innings with a flourish, scoring 31 runs and hitting three consecutive fours off Diana Baig. However, regular wickets curbed their momentum with Smriti Mandhana falling early for 23 runs to Pakistan captain Fatima Sana.
Baig’s excellent bowling spell of 4/69 and Sana’s supporting figures of 2/38 kept India in check. Deol’s calm innings and partnerships with Harmanpreet Kaur and Jemimah Rodrigues helped stabilize the innings. Just when it seemed that Pakistan regained control, Ghosh unleashed an aggressive counterattack, hitting three fours and two sixes.
The unsettling conditions included a 15-minute delay due to a swarm of bugs invading the field, further adding intensity to the atmosphere. Despite this, India’s bowlers maintained their composure, encapsulating the win that not only showcases their potential but also keeps their momentum in the tournament alive.
This victory extended India’s unblemished ODI record against Pakistan to a remarkable 12-0. The result is a strong statement from the Indian team, emphasizing their competitive edge as they chase World Cup glory.
Brief Scores:
India Women: 247 all out in 50 overs (Harleen Deol 46, Richa Ghosh 35*, Jemimah Rodrigues 32; Diana Baig 4/69, Fatima Sana 2/38).
Pakistan Women: 159 all out in 43 overs (Sidra Amin 81; Kranti Gaud 3/20, Deepti Sharma 3/45, Shree Charani 2/38).
Result: India won by 88 runs.
