A superb comeback by the Indian Women’s Team by beating Pakistan by 6 wickets after a crushing defeat in the first encounter against New Zealand. India never let Pakistan off the hook by not allowing Pakistan batters to break free in the first half. The second half saw India registering a rather comfortable batting display against Pakistan in the ICC Women’s T20 WC 2024. Arundhati bagged the ‘Player of the Match’ award for her 3 wickets.
India vs Pakistan ICC Women’s T20 WC 2024 – Indian Bowlers Strike Early
Pakistan Women’s Team Captain Fatima Sana won the toss and had no hesitation in batting first at Dubai International Cricket Stadium. India had one forced change as Pooja Vastrakar made way to Sajana due to an injury. It was virtually a Do and Die game for the Harmanpreet Kaur-led unit after India suffered a humiliating 58-run defeat at the hands of New Zealand in the opening encounter of ICC Women’s T20 WC 2024.
Pakistan also made one change as Diana Baig made way to Arooba. Muneeba opened her and Pakistan’s account by tucking one bowled to her legs by Renuka Thakur to the backward square region for a single. Renuka nipped one back off the seam to knock over Gull Feroza on the last ball of the first over. Pakistan were at 1 for 1 at the end of first over. Just what the start India needed!
Muneeba hit the first boundary for Pakistan by lifting an overpitched delivery off Renuka over the mid-off fielder in the 3rd over. Renuka was hit for another boundary in that over as Muneeba timed just enough to clear the mid-off fielder. Sidra Amin who came to partner Muneeba at the fall of Feroza hit her first boundary in the fifth over. She moved across the stumps to sweep one away from the square leg fielder for a four off Deepti Sharma. However, the Indian spinner got rid of her the next ball as Amin played all around it only to see the ball deflecting off her pad to the wicket. At the end of the first six overs, Pakistan were struggling at 29 for 2.
India vs Pakistan ICC Women’s T20 WC 2024 – Indian Spinners on Top of Pakistan Batters from 6-10 Overs
Muneeba survived as Asha Shobhana dropped a sitter at short fine leg off Arundhati Reddy. However, Reddy removed Omaima Sohail who could not chip past Shafali Verma at mid-off. Indian spinners continue to trouble the Pakistani batters with guile and craft. All eyes were on Muneeba to take Pakistan through to a good total. Nida Dar at the other end didn’t look comfortable against spinners. More problems for Pakistan as Shreyanka Patil foxed Muneeba by dragging her length back and spinning past her. Richa Ghosh collected the ball and wiped the bails off in a flash. Muneeba was out for 17, hitting two boundaries in her 26-ball knock. It was a wicket maiden for Shreyanka as Pakistan’s scorecard read 41 for 4 in 10 overs.
India Firm Control Over Pakistan in 10-15 Overs
Pakistan’s 50 came in 11.3 overs, showcasing India’s brilliance with the ball after being made to field first. Arundhati trapped Aliya Riaz leg before wicket for just four. Although Aliya went for the review immediately, the replays showed that the ball was clipping the leg stump. Half the Pakistan’s team were out as Fatima Sana-led unit was struggling at 52 for 5 in 12.1 overs. Captain Fatima came to the crease with so much to do in the company of the former captain Nida Dar. Fatima got a reprieve second ball as Asha once again spilled a chance off Arundhati. Pakistani skipper could not time the cut short on that occasion.
Nida Dar seemed determined and stepped out of the crease to hit straight down the ground for a boundary. However, a clever change of pace by Asha meant she could not time properly. In that over, Fatima bent down on one knee to hot a boundary in the deep mid-wicket region. Fatima then shuffled across the stumps to hit one more boundary towards the same region. However, in a bid to attempt one more shot on the leg side, edged one to Richa Ghosh behind the wicket. Pakistan lost 6 wickets with the score of just 70 at the end of 14 overs. Pakistan sunk deeper in trouble as Tuba Hasan miscued a sweep shot off Shreyanka as the ball went to Shafali at short fine leg. 72 for 7 was the score, and things were looking ominous for Pakistan.
The Last 5 Overs of Pakistan’s Batting in This Monumental Clash Against India in ICC Women’s T20 WC 2024
Indian bowlers started cramping Pakistani batters for room as they kept bowling good line and length. Syeda Aroob Shah hit down the ground off Deepti Sharma for a four at long-off on the first ball of the 18th over. Both batters rotated the strike to take Pakistan along. However, they were not able to break free in this crucial India vs Pakistan ICC Women’s T20 WC encounter. Nida Dar was bowled looking to hit across the line off a straight delivery by Arundhati. She scored 28 off 34 balls, hitting just one boundary. Nashra Sandhu hit a boundary off the last ball to take Pakistan to 105 for 8 in their allotted 20 overs.
Arundhati and Shreyanka picked three and two wickets, respectively, while Renuka, Deepti and Asha took one wicket each. A clinical bowling performance from India’s bowlers who did not allow Pakistan batters to break free at any stage of their batting.
Sadia and Fatima Tighten Screws in First Powerplay as Smriti and Shafali Struggle to Rotate Strike
Shafali Verma opened her and India’s account on the very first ball. Smriti Mandhana didn’t lose sweat either as he punched one behind square for a single the next ball, followed by a chip down backward square leg by Shafali the next ball. The next ball was pierced into sweeper cover by Mandhana. An escape for Shafali the next ball as she went for the review to challenge the on-field umpire’s decision. In the replays, the ball appeared to be missing the stump. India were 4 for 1 at the end of the first over.
Smriti Mandhana looked fluent at the other end against the left-arm spinner Sadiya. Moreover, Fatima gifted five runs as she bowled a wide delivery that went past the wicketkeeper Muneeba for a boundary. Soon, Shafali got into the groove by piercing one into the off-side field for a couple. Sadia Iqbal struck in the fifth over as Smriti could not control an uppish drive that went straight to Tuba Hasan at point. Jemmiaah Rodrigues came out with an intent to score runs quickly. The first powerplay saw India putting up 25 for 1 without a boundary.
India vs Pakistan ICC Women’s T20 WC 2024 – Jemmimah, Shafali Take India Along
Both Jemmimah and Shafali looked to score in singles and twos as Pakistan fielding unit was sharp, saving boundaries. Opener Shafali hit the first boundary of the Indian innings by slamming Tuba Hasan for a boundary in the mid-wicket region. Pakistan, like India, were bowling wicket to wicket to prevent boundaries. Shafali hit the second boundary in the 10th over by slamming Tuba straight down the ground. India reached 50 for 1 in 10 overs. India looked favourites to win against Pakistan in this ICC Women’s T20 WC game.
India Continue to Consolidate from 6-10 Overs of Their Batting
Shafali started the 12th over of India’s batting by slamming an overpitched delivery off Omaima Sohail for a boundary at deep mid-wicket. However, Omaima got rid of Shafali as the Indian opener hits straight to Aliya Riaz at long-on. India’s scorecard at that point was 60 for 2 in 11.5 overs. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur came to accompany Jemmimah. Both were taking1s and 2s to take India along to the victory target of 106 runs. India reached 79 for 2 in 15 overs.
It Boils Down to 27 Off the Last 30 Balls for India Against Pakistan in ICC Women’s T20 WC 2024
Fatima Sana came and dismissed Jemmimah who edged a wide delivery to Muneeba behind the wicket. Jemmimah scored 23 off 28 balls. More drama as Richa Ghosh too perished edging one to Muneeba the next ball. Pakistan came back into the contest as India required 26 off 27 balls. Harmanpreet looked composed as she steered one to the deep backward point for a couple.
Pakistan started getting a little ragged on the field, allowing Deepti and Harmanpreet to convert singles into couples. Harmanpreet scored a crucial three on the fifth ball of the 17th over, followed by a single by Deepti the next ball. A huge inside edge saved Deepti on the review as the on-field umpire had adjudged her LBW off Fatima. Harmanpreet swept one to the backward square leg for a couple before playing an inside out shot for a boundary on the off side. India inched closer as the victory target reduced to 4 off 12 balls.
Harmanpreet was, however, retired hurt while attempting to dive back into the crease. Sajana hit the winning runs as she chipped past the mid-off fielder for a boundary. India won the game by 8 wickets with 7 balls left against Pakistan in the ICC Women’s T20 WC 2024
