Dubai: In what is being considered to be the Group of Death, India began their campaign in the ICC T20 Women’s World Cup with a disappointing 58-run defeat at the hands of New Zealand.
Two days later, Harmanpreet Kaur’s girls had reasons to smile as they beat Pakistan by 6 wickets, with 7 balls to spare, in their Group A clash at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
Opting for first strike, Pakistani ladies struggled to get on top of the Indian attack after Renuka Singh disturbed the stumps of opener Gull Feroza in the first over itself. Despite some resistance by 37-year-old Nida Dar, who top-scored with 28, Pakistan rarely looking like posting a challenging total.
They ultimately huffed and puffed their way to 105/8 in 20 overs, with medium-pacer Arundhati Reddy bagging 3/19 in 4 overs and off-spinner Shreyanka Patil capturing 2/12.
India, with one eye on improving their pathetic net run-rate, lost Smriti Mandhana for 7. Shafali Verma (32 off 35) and Jemimah Rodrigues (23) added 43 in just over 7 overs, before India lost three wickets for the addition of 19 runs to slow down their chase.
Skipper Harmanpreet (29 off 24 balls) batted fluently before hurting her neck while stretching back to the crease to avoid a possible stumping with 2 runs needed for victory.
India, who managed to push their net run rate from -2.900 up to -1.22, will next face Sri Lanka on September 9.
Brief Scores
Pakistan women 105/8 in 20 overs (Nida Dar 28; Arundhati Reddy 3/19, Shreyanka Patil 2/12).
India women 108/4 in 18.5 overs (Shafali Verma 32, Harmanpreet Kaur 29 retd hurt; Fatima Sana 2/23).
Result: India women won by 6 wkts.
India’s next match: Vs Sri Lanka (Oct 6, Dubai).
