In the ongoing ICC Women’s World Cup, India Women handed Pakistan Women a comprehensive 88-run defeat in a group stage match played at the R. Premadasa Stadium on Sunday.
After winning the toss, Pakistan elected to field first. India posted a competitive total of 247 all out in 50 overs. In reply, the Pakistan Women’s team was bowled out for 159 runs in 43 overs, falling short by 88 runs.
India’s innings saw contributions from several batters. Smriti Mandhana was dismissed LBW by Fatima Sana for 23, while Pratika Rawal scored 31 before being bowled by Sadia Iqbal. Pakistan gained a key breakthrough when skipper Harmanpreet Kaur was caught behind off Diana Baig for 19, leaving India at 106/3.
Jemimah Rodrigues survived an early scare when she was caught off a no-ball but eventually fell LBW to Nashra Sandhu for 32. Harleen Deol played a fluent knock of 46 runs, including 4 fours and a six, before being caught by Sandhu off Rameen Shamim.
At 201, Pakistan picked up their sixth wicket when Fatima Sana dismissed Sneh Rana (20), caught by Aliya Riaz. Deepti Sharma contributed 25 before falling to Diana Baig, but it was Richa Ghosh who provided the late fireworks, scoring a quick unbeaten 35 runs with two sixes and three fours, pushing India’s total to 247.
Diana Baig was the standout bowler for Pakistan, claiming 4 wickets for 69 runs, and also completing 100 international wickets across ODIs and T20Is. Fatima Sana and Sadia Iqbal took 2 wickets each, conceding 38 and 47 runs respectively.
In response, Pakistan’s top order crumbled early. Muneeba Ali (2), Sidra Shahram Shams (6), and Aliya Riaz (2) were dismissed cheaply. However, Sidra Ameen and Natalia Pervaiz steadied the innings with a 69-run partnership for the fourth wicket.
Sidra Ameen played a valiant knock, scoring 81 runs with 9 boundaries and a six. Natalia Pervaiz added 33 runs, including 4 fours. The rest of the batting lineup collapsed, with captain Fatima Sana (2), Sidra Nawaz (14), and Diana Baig (9) failing to provide resistance. Rameen Shamim and Sadia Iqbal were both dismissed for ducks.
Kranti Gaud was India’s most effective bowler, taking 3 wickets for just 20 runs and was named Player of the Match. Deepti Sharma also impressed with 3 wickets for 45 runs.
Pakistan Women have now lost both of their opening matches in the tournament, with a 7-wicket defeat to Bangladesh in their first game. They will next face Australia Women on October 8.
