IND vs PAK Women’s WC: India Women’s defeated Pakistan Women’s by 107 runs in the opening encounter
The Indian women’s cricket team started the ICC Women’s World Cup on Sunday with a win over arch-rivals Pakistan by 107 runs in a one-sided match.
Indian captain Mithali Raj’s decision to bat first after winning the toss proved to be correct. The fifties from in-form openers Smriti Mandhana, Sneh Rana and Pooja Vastrakar helped India overcome the initial setbacks to make 244 for seven.
In reply to 245 runs for victory, the Pakistani team was bowled out for 137 runs in 43 overs. It was their 11th consecutive defeat at the hands of India in the 50-over format.
Left-arm spinner Rajeshwari Gaikwad took four wickets for 31 runs in 10 overs for India. Veteran pacer Jhulan Goswami took 2 for 29 and Rana took 2 for 27.
India did not start well and opener Shefali Verma was dismissed without opening an account in the third over. Mandhana (52 off 75 balls) and Deepti Sharma (40 off 57 balls) led the innings.
Pakistan put pressure on India by taking early wickets of captain Mithali Raj (nine) and vice-captain Harmanpreet Kaur (five).
Mithali Raj, who became the third cricketer after Sachin Tendulkar and Javed Miandad to play six World Cups and the first woman cricketer, could not do any wonders with the bat.
Mandhana and Deepti took over the innings after Shefali was dismissed early. After this Rana and Vastrakar took the team to 255 runs.
IND vs PAK:
Rana (53 not out) and Vastrakar (67) shared a 122-run partnership which is the highest partnership for the seventh wicket in the ICC Women’s World Cup.
Pakistan’s bowlers removed India’s four wickets for 116 runs but then Vastrakar and Rana put pressure on them.
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Mandhana and Deepti were dismissed one after the other. Deepti missed in her attempt to play a sweep shot and was bowled by Nashra Sandhu for 40. 13 balls later, Mandhana gave a return catch to Anam Amin.
The rest of the batsmen could not make any significant contribution. Mithali, Harmanpreet and Richa Ghosh could not play good innings.
Spinners Nida Dar and Sandhu took two wickets for Pakistan.
IND vs PAK:
In reply, Pakistan lost five wickets for 78 runs. Javeria Khan lost a wicket in the 11th over. After this, the Indian spinners kept a check on his run rate. Deepti sent Pakistan captain Bismah Maroof and Rana sent Omaima Sohail to the pavilion.
Jhulan Goswami caught Sidra Amin behind the wicket and sent Dar to the pavilion in the next over.
It was Pakistan’s 15th defeat in the chase in Women’s World Cup matches.