India Overcome Insect Invasion to Sail to Chilly Win Over Pakistan in Women's World Cup
Pace bowler Kranti Goud and spin specialist Sharma took three wickets each as the Indian side defeated Pakistan by a substantial margin in their Women’s World Cup encounter, which began similar to recent fixtures between the countries men’s teams with no handshake from the skippers and then featured a controversial run-out of a Pakistani opening batter.
The Indian captain, Kaur, did not shake hands with Sana during the toss and the squads departed without post-match pleasantries after the match amidst diplomatic strains between the two south Asian neighbours.
The captains at the recent men’s Asia Cup in the United Arab Emirates similarly avoided handshakes at matches between the two rivals. Indian authorities have alleged Pakistan of being involved in attacks on tourists that killed dozens.
Match Summary
India lost the toss, they were dismissed for 247 in their allotted overs. Their openers, Rawal and the star batter Mandhana, shared 48 runs for the first wicket before Sana had Mandhana leg before wicket for a 32-ball 23. She made 31 runs before she was bowled by the left-arm spinner Iqbal. The captain scored 19 before edging behind off Baig.
Deol was the top scorer for the team with 46 and Ghosh made a rapid 35* to boost their team to a respectable score.
Rodrigues (32), Sharma (25) and Sneh Rana (20) all made useful runs, while Baig took 4/69 for Pakistan and Iqbal and Sana had two wickets each. Play was stopped for 15 minutes because bugs were troubling the players.
Pakistan’s Innings
Pakistan were bowled out for 159 in 43 overs. Sole fifty of the game in Colombo came from Sidra Amin, who made 81.
The opening wicket was lost in a controversial fashion when the opening batter Muneeba Ali was adjudged run out. Ali had grounded her bat after returning to her crease, having stepped out to play a shot. The bat was then lifted momentarily when an throw hit the stumps. Sana argued with the fourth umpire that the player was not attempting a run but the ruling was upheld.
Her 106-ball innings included a maximum and nine fours. Goud took 3/20 and Sharma finished with 3/45.
