Colombo, Oct 5: India produced a commanding performance to defeat Pakistan by 88 runs in a crucial Women’s World Cup encounter at Colombo on Sunday, extending their campaign on a strong note in the tournament.
Sent in to bat, India posted a competitive 247 all out in their allotted 50 overs on a slow, testing track that made stroke-making challenging.
While many batters struggled to convert starts into substantial innings, Harleen Deol led the charge with a composed 46, supported by a brisk, unbeaten 35 from wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh.
Jemimah Rodrigues chipped in with a valuable 32, while opener Pratika Rawal added 31 runs to help India reach a challenging total. Pakistan’s bowlers, led by Diana Baig who claimed 4/69, and Fatima Sana with 2/38, made inroads but were unable to stop India from posting a defendable score.
Chasing 248, Pakistan never recovered from a disastrous top-order collapse, slumping to 26 for 3 inside the eighth over.
Despite Sidra Amin’s valiant 81 off 106 balls and Natalia Pervaiz’s 33, the innings never gained momentum. Kranti Goud emerged as the pick of the Indian bowlers, taking 3/20, while Deepti Sharma matched her with 3/45. Shree Charani also made crucial breakthroughs, claiming 2 wickets for 38 runs, ensuring that Pakistan could never build meaningful partnerships. The visitors were bowled out for 159 in 43 overs, handing India a comfortable 88-run victory.The match witnessed several notable moments: Pakistan’s captain Muneeba Ali was run out early, while Sadaf Shamas fell cheaply for 6. Sidra Amin anchored the innings but could not find substantial support. Deepti Sharma played a decisive role with the ball, taking three wickets and effecting a run-out, while Kranti Goud’s deadly spells dismantled the middle order. Sidra Nawaz contributed 14 before being dismissed, and Diana Baig’s 9 came too late to change the course of the game. Extras accounted for 8 runs, but Pakistan never threatened India’s total after their top-order collapse.
India’s bowlers collectively delivered a disciplined performance, with Renuka Singh Thakur also keeping things tight with 10-1-29-0, while Sneh Rana contributed 2 wickets for 38 runs. The fall of wickets chart revealed how the Indian bowling unit consistently applied pressure, taking key wickets at crucial intervals (6-1, 20-2, 26-3, 95-4, 102-5, 143-6, 146-7, 150-8, 158-9, 159-10).
The win not only boosts India’s confidence but also underlines their depth in both batting and bowling departments.
With consistent performances across the lineup, India looks well-poised to carry this momentum forward into the next stages of the Women’s World Cup, while Pakistan will need to regroup and rethink strategies after a tough outing against their subcontinental rivals. India’s comprehensive 88-run victory over Pakistan highlighted their dominance in all departments, with the batters providing crucial starts and the bowlers executing key breakthroughs at the right moments.
The win not only strengthens India’s position in the Women’s World Cup but also reinforces the team’s depth, resilience, and ability to perform under pressure. (PTI)
BRIEF SCORE
India Women: 247 all out in 50 overs (Pratika Rawal 31, Harleen Deol 46, Jemimah Rodrigues 32, Richa Ghosh 35 not out; Diana Baig 4/69, Fatima Sana 2/38).
Pakistan Women: 159 all out in 43 overs (Sidra Amin 81; Kranti Goud 3/20, Deepti Sharma 3/45, Shree Charani 2/38).
