India’s Must-Win Situation
India kept their Women’s T20 World Cup hopes alive with a six-wicket victory over rivals Pakistan on Sunday in Dubai. After a disappointing loss to New Zealand just two days prior, India faced a must-win situation against Pakistan.
Cautious Run Chase
Initially, India aimed to boost their net run rate, which stood at -2.9 after the previous defeat. However, they approached the run chase with caution. Shafali Verma had a crucial moment early on, surviving an initial dismissal after the fifth ball. A successful review revealed the ball was not hitting the wickets. Verma went on to score 32 runs before being caught by Aliya Riaz.
Pakistan’s Struggles with the Bat
Pakistan won the toss and opted to bat first but managed only 105 runs, thanks to outstanding bowling from India. Arundhati Reddy and Shreyanka Patil took five wickets between them, limiting Pakistan’s scoring. Nida Dar was the top scorer for Pakistan, contributing 28 runs off 34 balls.
Steady Progress in the Chase
India’s batting showed steady progress as they chased down the target, finishing at 108-4 in 18.5 overs. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur scored a calm 29 runs but left the field injured after slipping near the end of the chase. With only two runs needed for victory, Kaur briefly lost her balance, allowing wicketkeeper Muneeba Ali to miss a stumping opportunity.
Team Discipline and Focus
Smriti Mandhana praised the team’s discipline, saying, “As a unit, we were very disciplined and followed the plans. We thought about net run-rate but focused on not losing wickets.” Despite the win, India remains fourth in Group A, with a net run rate of -1.217, trailing behind third-place Pakistan, who has a net run rate of 0.555.
Strong Bowling Performance
India’s bowling attack stifled Pakistan, with Reddy claiming 3-19 and Patil achieving 2-12. Pakistan managed only 105 runs for 8 wickets on a sluggish pitch at the Dubai International Stadium. India’s fielding had its challenges, with Asha Sobhana dropping two easy catches. Muneeba Ali was eventually stumped off Patil’s wide ball after a disappointing 26-ball innings.
Upcoming Matches
In the upcoming Women’s T20 World Cup matches, India will face Sri Lanka on Wednesday at 3 PM, while Pakistan will take on defending champions Australia on Friday at 3 PM. Despite a cautious approach against Pakistan’s spin-heavy bowling, India’s victory keeps their tournament hopes alive.
Read more: Pakistan Women Defeat Sri Lanka in T20 World Cup 2024