Published on October 7, 2024 by Kariuki Mwangi
Last Updated on 2 years by Kariuki Mwangi
By Deepak Sharma
E-mail: spacewalker008@gmail.com
Dubai, UAE (06-10-2024-:India’s bowlers laid the foundation for a crucial six-wicket win over Pakistan in Dubai, keeping their semi-final aspirations alive in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024.
Following a tough opening defeat to New Zealand, India could not afford another setback against their arch-rivals. Led by an impressive bowling display from Arundhati Reddy, they restricted Pakistan to 105 for eight, setting up a comfortable chase.
After winning the toss, Pakistan opted to bat first but faced immediate setbacks. Renuka Singh struck early, dismissing Gull Feroza in the first over. Deepti Sharma soon added to Pakistan’s woes by bowling out Sidra Amin for eight.
Reddy was the standout performer, claiming three wickets for just 19 runs. Her first breakthrough came when Omaima Sohail miscued a slower delivery, sending the ball straight to Shafali Verma. This left Pakistan struggling at 34 for three after seven overs.
Nida Dar’s arrival at the crease stabilized Pakistan briefly, but as the run-rate stalled, Muneeba Ali tried to accelerate. However, her attempt was thwarted when she was stumped by Richa Ghosh off Shreyanka Patil for 17. Reddy soon struck again, trapping Aliya Riaz leg before for four, reducing Pakistan to 52 for five.
Fatima Sana showed some resistance, hitting back-to-back boundaries off Asha Sobhana, but her innings ended at 13 with a stunning catch by Ghosh behind the stumps. Patil’s tight spell, which included the dismissal of Tuba Hassan for a duck, left Pakistan reeling. Despite Nida Dar’s 28, Reddy’s final over ended her stay at the crease, with a brief late flurry from Nashra Sandhu helping Pakistan post 105.
In response, India batted cautiously but steadily. Smriti Mandhana fell early, caught off Sadia Iqbal for seven after struggling to score freely. Shafali Verma (32) and Jemimah Rodrigues (23) then put together a partnership of 43, gradually increasing the scoring rate. However, Verma fell just as she was starting to accelerate, caught at long-on off Omaima Sohail’s bowling.
Despite their net run-rate concerns after the New Zealand loss, India avoided taking excessive risks in their chase. Rodrigues departed while attempting a big shot off Fatima Sana, who also dismissed Richa Ghosh for a golden duck the very next ball.
With 26 runs still needed, Harmanpreet Kaur (29) and Deepti Sharma guided India close to the target. However, Kaur retired hurt in the penultimate over, leaving Sajana Sajeevan to finish the job with a boundary on her first ball, sealing India’s win with seven deliveries to spare.
Scores in Brief:
Pakistan: 105 for 8 in 20 overs (Nida Dar 28, Muneeba Ali 17; Arundhati Reddy 3/19, Shreyanka Patil 2/12)
India: 108 for 4 in 18.5 overs (Shafali Verma 32, Harmanpreet Kaur 29 retired hurt; Fatima Sana 2/23, Omaima Sohail 1/17)
Result: India won by six wickets.
