India won from Pakistan by six wickets in a thrilling Group A game of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 in Dubai, ensuring two crucial points in the process. This was indeed a critical moment in India’s campaign as they were keen to try to boost the net run rate ahead of subsequent matches.
India finally won thanks to solid bowling, especially by Arundhati Reddy and Shreyanka Patil, who took five of Pakistan’s eight wickets between them. Pakistan batted first and ended up with only 105 runs. The principal highlight of Pakistan’s batting was Nida Dar, who made 28 runs. What transpired was a test of these two teams’ patience and ability to score freely under slow, spin-friendly conditions in Dubai.
Going into the game, Pakistan skipper Fatima Sana had promised a more attack-minded game. However, it wasn’t matched up in execution with the opening wicket within the first over as opener Gull Feroza could not make amends for the movement of Indian Renuka Singh’s swing. Muneeba Ali did show some intent but could not carry it out into substantial runs, and the Pakistani batting lineup looked precarious.
The spectacular catch by Richa Ghosh, who dismissed Sana, was a brilliant example of India’s fielding prowess. The display made by the wicketkeeper during the reflexes proved worthy as she took a stunning one-handed catch. That turned the tides in favor of India.
Arundhati Reddy played an integral role, especially with injured Pooja Vastrakar missing the action. With more seam-bowling responsibilities, Reddy struck early and did in Muneeba and Omaima Sohail, beautifully trapping Aliya Riaz in front of her stump, showing that she came so well under pressure. Crucial wickets were taken by Patil at the other end as well, which gave proof of India’s attacking bowling depth and how the sticky spin-friendly pitch is used to its fullest.
Pakistan had a good start, but wickets were tumbling at short intervals. A lack of partnerships held them back, and it was not enough for them to merit anything more than a diminutive score of 105 runs. India bowled well in defending strong lines that came all too rarely for the Pakistani batters.
Chasing 106, India knew it had to be a careless affair as their net run rate was at or around -2.90 before the match. Indian openers hardly boasted of the powerplay, making a boundary-less start as they could not feel the gear against the spinners-abundant Pakistani attack. The loss of Smriti Mandhana was not a good sign. She has been a batting plan presently.
Things could only have gotten worse, but then came Shefali Verma, who batted aggressively, hitting a few boundaries to ease the pressure. She was ably supported by Jemimah Rodrigues, who rotated the strike and kept a sane pace to the innings. The scores got tense with India losing two quick wickets in succession, which naturally gave hope to Pakistan.
It was Harmanpreet Kaur who took the crucial experience when needed the most. The neck injury forcing her to retire hurt in the game made India falter and put in a big doubt over whether India could finish this chase. But, S Sajana went out and notched in the winning runs as she hit a four for India once again asserting India’s predominance in the T20 format against Pakistan.
Not only does this push India forward in the tournament, but it also continues the old rivalry between the two nations in women’s cricket. That surely will be a badge of motivation for the teams in their next match, as both will introspect on their performances and try to build up from where they have been successful, improving on the areas they need to. An Indian win would mean a promising start into a more competitive tournament, as they pursue their quest for glory in the Women’s T20 World Cup.
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