New Delhi: Harmanpret Kaur-led India thrashed Pakistan by six wickets to bounce back to winning ways after their crushing defeat against New Zealand in their opener in the ongoing Women’s T20 World Cup 2024. India comfortably chased down the target of 106 runs with seven balls to spare against Pakistan at the Dubai International Stadium in Dubai to clinch their first win in the tournament.
Pacer Arundhati Reddy starred with the ball for India to help the Women in Blue restrict Pakistan to a low-key total of 105/8 after Fatima Sana won the toss and opted to bat first in the much-anticipated clash. The onus was on the Indian batters after the superb effort from the bowlers to chase down the target and they didn’t disappoint as Shafali and skipper Harmanpreet led the charge.
In pursuit of the 106-run target, India got off to a sluggish start and lost experienced opener Smriti Mandhana early as she departed cheaply on 7 off 16 balls in the 5th over. Mandhana was caught by Tuba Hassan off the bowling of Sadi Iqbal, who drew the first blood for Pakistan during India’s run-chase.
After Mandhana’s departure, Shafali held one end strongly and played a crucial knock of 32 runs off 35 balls. She combined with Jemimah Rodrigues, who was back at her original no.3 spot, to add an important stand of 43-run stand for the 2nd wicket. Shafali was eventually dismissed by Omaima Sohail in the 12th over after getting caught by Aliya Riaz.
That is boundary number ✌ for #ShafaliVerma in the #GreatestRivarly! 💙
Hit ❤ and keep cheering on the #WomenInBlue!
📺 Watch #WomensWorldCupOnStar 👉 #INDvPAK LIVE NOW (Only available in India) pic.twitter.com/zjkEFxl4UN
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) October 6, 2024
By the end of her innings, it seemed India were well on course for a clinical victory before Pakistan skipper Fatima Sana removed Rodrigues and Richa Ghosh in successive deliveries to pile pressure on the Women in Blue. However, Harmanpreet delivered a captain’s knock under pressure to help India get over the line comfortably in the end.
Harmanpreet gets injured after captain’s knock
Harmanpreet bailed India out of trouble after two successive wickets from Sana and remained unbeaten on 29 off 24 balls to get India over the line in the 106-run chase. However, the Indian skipper couldn’t score the winning runs for her team as she had to retire hurt after pulling her neck muscle trying to avoid stumping against Nida Dar in the 19th over.
Sajeevan Sajana had to come out to face just one delivery after Harmanpreet’s injury and she wrapped up the victory for India with a boundary against Dar.
Arundhati Reddy shines
Reddy was the pick of the bowlers for India in the game and was awarded the Player of the Match award for her excellent spell of 3/18 off her four overs. Despite some sloppy fielding from Asha Shobana, who dropped two absolute sitters of her bowling, Reddy kept troubling the Pakistan batters with her tight lengths and was rewarded for his disciplined effort.
After Renuka Singh cleaned up Pakistan opener Gull Feroza in the 1st over to create an opening, Reddy ran riot as she went on to dismiss Omaima, Nida Dar and Aliya Riaz to reduce Pakistan to tatters. She was well supported by Shreyanka Patil, who bagged her maiden T20 World Cup wicket in the game and finished with a spell of 2/12 off her 4 overs.
Early wicket for India! 😍
The #WomenInBlue secured a stunning early breakthrough in the first over as #RenukaSingh bowls #Feroza out! ☝
Watch #WomensWorldCupOnStar 👉 #INDvPAK LIVE NOW! 📺 pic.twitter.com/uWdtsOT8w9
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) October 6, 2024
India managed to revive their knockout chances with the comprehensive win against Pakistan and will be hoping to continue their winning run when they take on reigning Asian champions Sri Lanka in their next game on Wednesday, October 09. India are currently in the 4th spot on the Group A points table behind New Zealand, Australia and Pakistan.
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After Arundhati Reddy’s brilliant spell, Shafali Verma and Harmanpreet Kaur played crucial knocks to help India thrash Pakistan by six wickets and bag their first win in the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
