India, on Sunday, beat arch-rivals Pakistan by seven wickets to register their second win in as many games in the ongoing ICC Women’s World T20I.
Asked to bat first, Pakistan were off to a poor start. Pakistan lost their opener Ayesha Zafar for a six-ball duck in the very first over. Then two run-outs – Omaima Sohail (3) and Javeria Khan (17) – left them reeling at 30 for 3. However, India’s hopes of making the most of the early breakthroughs was quashed by their fielding as they dropped as many as five catches.
Not surprisingly, the butterfingered Indian fielders’ generosity helped Pakistan recover from 30/3 to 124/3.
Bismah Maroof and Nida Dar rescued Pakistan by scoring fine fifties and adding 94 runs for the fourth wicket. Nida was dropped twice – once on 15 and then on 29 – and she capitalised to score 52 off 35 with the help of five fours and two sixes. Mahroof scored 53 off 49 while hitting four boundaries.
But as soon as both the settled batters departed, the bowling side managed to tighten up things in the slog overs. Poonam Yadav picked up two wickets in the final over and conceded just 5 runs. What further rubbed salt to Pakistan’s wounds was the 10 runs they conceded as penalty for running on the danger zone of the pitch.
Chasing a modest 134, Harmanpreet Kaur and Co. wrapped up the victory with six balls and seven wickets to spare.
Veteran batter Mithali Raj starred with the bat, scoring a fine fifty to lead the chase. Opening the innings, Mithali scored 56 off 47 with the help of seven fours. Any hopes of seeing a fightback from Pakistan soon ended after India openers gave their team a flying start. Mithali and Smriti Mandhana added 73 runs for the first wicket before the latter departed after scoring 26.
Youngster Jemimah Rodrigues, who had scored a fine fifty in the previous game, failed to score big this time. She made just 16 before hitting one straight into the hands of bowler Nida Dar. Mithali, on the other hand, departed in the 18th over. But by then, India needed just 11 runs. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur (14*) and Veda (8*) then ensured India complete the victory without suffering any further hiccup.
Meanwhile, Twitter was quick to react to the game between the arch-rivals. Here are some of the reactions:
Good day for Indian cricket. Win against #Windies followed by one against Pakistan. #WWT20 #INDvPAK pic.twitter.com/j6EupQZU6D
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) November 11, 2018
Yay! Great win India. Really well played by the girls @BCCIWomen . Mithali Raj was superb and so were the bowlers. Best wishes for the matches ahead #IndvPak pic.twitter.com/53tUcsiaan
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) November 11, 2018
Well done Team India ?? congratulations @M_Raj03 and whole team.. keep going ? pic.twitter.com/WJsyhwBuZk
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) November 11, 2018
A victory against Pakistan in any sporting competition is always sweet one. Really proud of the way our Women's team have been performing in the #WomensWorldT20 #INDvPAK
— R P Singh रुद्र प्रताप सिंह (@rpsingh) November 11, 2018
Harmanpreet, 103(51) did it her way against New Zealand. Today Mithali Raj 56(47) did it her way against Pakistan. Two champions.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) November 11, 2018
Congratulations @BCCIWomen on a fantastic victory over Pakistan. The bowlers set it up with a brilliant performance and then Mithali Raj showed her class and experience in the run chase. Well done ! #IndvPak pic.twitter.com/7qcPrkeJRu
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) November 11, 2018
2 out of 2, another convincing win ??? keep it going @BCCIWomen #WWT20
— Deep Dasgupta (@DeepDasgupta7) November 11, 2018
If you list out things that haven't changed in a while, India defeating Pakistan in a World Cup game would feature in it. The Men in blue made it a habit and now it's the turn of the @BCCIWomen to continue the domination. Congratulations on the Victory @M_Raj03 ? #INDvPAK
— Hemang Badani (@hemangkbadani) November 11, 2018
