India picked up a crucial win over Pakistan by six wickets, but their hopes of improving their net run rate (NRR) ahead of the Women’s T20 World Cup were dashed in a sluggish chase. Pakistan’s spirited bowling effort kept India on their toes, but the hosts eventually managed to chase down the target of 106 in 19 overs, opening their account in the points table.
India’s win was primarily set up by their bowlers, with Arundhati Reddy and Shreyanka Patil leading the charge, taking five of the eight Pakistan wickets to fall. Despite a late flurry from Nida Dar, who top-scored for Pakistan with 28, the visitors were restricted to 105/8 on a slow, spin-friendly surface.
India: 108 for 4 (Shafali 32, Harmanpreet 29*, Sana 2-23)
Pakistan: 105 for 8 (Dar 28, Reddy 3-19, Patil 2-12)
India won by six wickets
Pakistan’s Inconsistent Batting
After winning the toss and opting to bat, Pakistan’s top order struggled to gain momentum. India’s bowlers, led by Reddy and Patil, tightened the screws from the start. The early breakthroughs came quickly, with Renuka Singh dismissing Gull Feroza in the first over and Muneeba Ali’s struggles against Reddy’s seam attack culminating in her dismissal.
Reddy, in her first over, induced a false shot from Sidra Amin, while in her second, she claimed Muneeba, who was caught at short fine leg. Pakistan’s middle order continued to falter as Patil chipped in with the wicket of Muneeba, and Reddy followed up by dismissing Aliya Riaz and Tuba Hassan.
Nida Dar tried to fight back, striking two successive boundaries off Asha but fell to a brilliant one-handed catch by Richa Ghosh. Reddy then bowled out Dar, finishing with figures of 3/19 in a clinical performance.
Pakistan were reduced to 105/8, leaving India a relatively small target, but one that would still require a good chase to lift their NRR.
India’s Struggles in the Chase
To improve their NRR, India needed to chase down the 106-run target in just 11.2 overs, but their chase got off to a rocky start. Pakistan’s spinners, led by Sadia Iqbal, strangled India’s openers during the powerplay. Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana struggled to time the ball and found themselves under pressure as spin kept them in check. Mandhana was dismissed for just 7 after a mistimed chip to backward point.
Shafali showed glimpses of aggression with a couple of boundaries, but her struggles against the spin persisted. She eventually holed out to long-on after a promising knock of 32. At the other end, Jemimah Rodrigues tried to stabilize the chase, rotating the strike well and keeping India’s hopes alive. However, when Rodrigues and Richa Ghosh fell in quick succession, India’s chase began to look uncertain.
Harmanpreet Kaur’s Steady Presence
It was Harmanpreet Kaur, back at her familiar No. 4 spot, who took charge. Despite the absence of Pooja Vastrakar due to injury, Harmanpreet kept India on track, putting together a vital partnership with Deepti Sharma. She played a crucial role, striking at a rate above 100 to guide India towards their target.
However, disaster struck when Harmanpreet sprained her neck while turning to avoid being stumped. She was forced to leave the field retired hurt, leaving India a few runs short with a tense finish on the cards.
Sajana came out and hit the winning boundary, sealing India’s six-wicket victory with an over to spare. India, though, failed to meet their NRR target, having batted slowly throughout the chase.
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Reddy Reprimanded
In an unfortunate turn of events, Arundhati Reddy was reprimanded by the ICC for breaching the Code of Conduct. She was found guilty of “using language, actions, or gestures which disparage or could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon dismissal.” This related to an incident after dismissing Nida Dar in the 20th over of Pakistan’s innings. Reddy has received a demerit point for her actions.
India’s victory sees them claim two crucial points in their World Cup campaign, though their NRR remains a concern ahead of their next clash.