In a dramatic encounter at the ICC Women’s World Cup on Sunday, the Indian women’s cricket team showcased their dominance by defeating Pakistan by 88 runs. Under pressure from the tense atmosphere, India’s players stepped up, with Harleen Deol and Richa Ghosh making significant contributions. This victory marked India’s 12th consecutive ODI win against their rival, Pakistan.
The match kicked off with a surprising turn of events; the referee mistakenly awarded the toss to Pakistan, who decided to bowl first, allowing India to bat under challenging conditions. India posted a total of 247 all out in 50 overs, demonstrating resilience despite the sluggish pitch.
Harleen Deol anchored the innings with a composed 46 off 65 balls, while Richa Ghosh provided the late aggression, smashing 35 off just 20 balls. Their efforts lifted India to a respectable score, compensating for an inconsistent start where they struggled to build partnerships.
Another crucial player, Kranti Gaud, emerged as the star of the bowling attack, claiming 3 wickets for just 20 runs. Gaud’s fiery spell dismantled the Pakistani top order early in their innings. Supporting her were Deepti Sharma and Shree Charani, who took 3/45 and 2/38, respectively.
Pakistan’s innings began poorly, losing Muneeba Ali for just 2 runs due to a miscalculated run-out. Following this quick dismissal, Gaud added pressure by quickly sending Sadaf Shamas and Aliya Riaz back to the pavilion, leaving Pakistan struggling at 26 for 3.
Despite a commendable effort from opener Sidra Amin, who scored 81 off 106 balls, the batting lineup crumbled under India’s aggressive bowling. Amin’s partnership with Natalia Pervaiz, which produced a brief resistance of 69 runs, could not save the match for Pakistan.
Earlier in India’s innings, the team battled difficult conditions, highlighted by Pratika Rawal’s brisk start with a quick 31. However, after losing Smriti Mandhana early, the team’s middle order faced pressure from Pakistan’s bowlers, particularly Diana Baig, who recorded impressive figures of 4/69.
The match featured some unexpected drama, including a bizarre run-out and a 15-minute delay caused by an unexpected swarm of bugs invading the field. Moreover, India maintained their “no-handshake” policy, adding to the tension between the teams. With every ball bowled, the excitement heightened, leading to a captivating clash.
Richa Ghosh’s impactful finish helped Indian fans breathe easier. She counter-attacked the bowlers, driving India towards a competitive total with her explosive batting. The disciplined bowling unit capped off the inning well, leading to their success.
Brief Scores:
India Women: 247 all out in 50 overs (Deol 46, Ghosh 35*, Rodrigues 32; Baig 4/69, Sana 2/38).
Pakistan Women: 159 all out in 43 overs (Amin 81; Gaud 3/20, Deepti Sharma 3/45, Charani 2/38).
Result: India won by 88 runs.