In a high-stakes ICC Women’s World Cup encounter held on Sunday at the renowned Eden Gardens, Kolkata, India defeated Pakistan by 88 runs. This victory marked an extension of India’s unbeaten record against Pakistan in ODIs to an impressive 12-0.
India’s innings featured contrasting yet impactful performances from Harleen Deol, who scored 46 off 65 balls, and Richa Ghosh, whose explosive 35 off 20 balls guided the team to a total of 247 all out. The match began with a dose of drama as a toss confusion led to Pakistan opting to bowl first, an early misstep that would haunt them throughout the fixture.
India’s bowlers took charge from the outset. Kranti Gaud starred with the ball, finishing with figures of 3/20, dismantling Pakistan’s top order early in their innings. Meanwhile, keen bowling from Deepti Sharma (3/45) and Shree Charani (2/38) effectively neutralized any resistance from the middle and lower order.
Despite a valiant 81 off 106 from opener Sidra Amin, Pakistan’s batting faltered, crumbling to a total of 159 in 43 overs. The match was not short on excitement, featuring a bizarre incident where a swarm of bugs delayed play for 15 minutes, intensifying the already taut atmosphere.
The chaotic start for Pakistan set the tone for their chase. Muneeba Ali, who scored just 2 runs, became a victim of a comical run-out, stepping out of her crease after narrowly escaping an LBW, hampered by a direct hit from Deepti Sharma.
With the scoreboard reading 26/3, Pakistan’s situation seemed bleak. Sidra Amin and Natalia Pervaiz attempted a revival with a partnership of 69 runs, but as soon as this partnership ended, the remaining batting lineup quickly succumbed to pressure.
The Indian innings showcased a vibrant array of batting contributions. Initially, Pratika Rawal provided a brisk start with a score of 31, hitting three consecutive boundaries off Diana Baig. However, regular wickets kept the innings in check, with Smriti Mandhana departing early for just 23 runs, dismissed by skipper Fatima Sana, who returned figures of 2/38.
The crucial middle overs saw Deol forge vital partnerships with Harmanpreet Kaur (19) and Jemimah Rodrigues (32), bringing India towards stability after a mid-innings wobble. Just as Pakistan seemed to tighten their grip, Ghosh sparked a counter-attack, hammering three fours and two sixes to propel India to a competitive total.
Thus, India’s bowlers unleashed their ferocity, wrapping up the Pakistani innings with clinical precision, reinforcing India’s stature in women’s cricket. Coach W.V. Raman praised the team’s efforts post-match, acknowledging the skill and determination displayed across all departments.
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).
The significant victory keeps the momentum rolling for the Indian women’s cricket team in their World Cup campaign, as they target further successes in the tournament.
