MOUNT MAUNGANUI, March 6: The Indian team thrashed arch-rivals Pakistan by 107 runs to begin their campaign in the ICC Women’s World Cup on a rousing note here on Sunday, the much-anticipated face-off ending in a no contest.
Opting to bat first after the coin landed in India’s favour, in-form opener Smriti Mandhana, Sneh Rana and Pooja Vastrakar struck useful half-centuries to help their team recover from an early wobble and post 244/7 at the Bay Oval.
Chasing a tricky target of 245, the Pakistan team fell way short of the mark and was all out for 137 in 43 overs, losing its 11th straight game against neighbours India in the 50-over format.
Left-arm spinner Rajeshwari Gayakwad did the star turn with the ball, returning with excellent figures of 4/31 after her quota of 10 overs.
Seasoned pacer Jhulan Goswami bowled well to finish the game with impressive figures of 2/29, while there were also two wickets for Rana (2/27), capping off her fine all-round show.
India found itself under pressure after opener Shafali Verma was dismissed for a duck in the third over. A 92-run stand between Mandhana (52 off 75 balls) and Deepti Sharma (40 off 57) helped steady the ship.
However, Pakistan came back strongly by claiming the wickets of skipper Mithali Raj (9) and her deputy Haramanpreet Kaur (5).
After the early dismissal of Shafali, the duo of Mandhana and Deepti got together to first steady the innings and then build a foundation for Rana and Vastrakar to take their team closer to 250.
Rana (53*) and Vastrakar (67) shared a crucial 122-run partnership – the highest for the seventh wicket in ICC Women’s World Cups – to help boost the India total.
Mandhana and Deepti were dismissed within a few overs of each other.
Pakistan had their tails up at that stage of the game but, batting in the lower order, Rana and Vastrakar had other ideas and displayed immense grit to pull India out of trouble.
For Pakistan, spinners Nida Dar (2/45) and Nashra Sandhu (2/36) snared two wickets each.
In reply, Pakistan were precariously placed at 78 for five at the halfway point in their innings, 167 runs away from a win. From thereon, there was just no coming back for Pakistan and theye were dismissed for 137 in 43 overs.
This is Pakistan’s 15th loss while chasing in Women’s World Cup games. (PTI)
