India Triumphs Over Pakistan by Six Wickets in Women’s T20 World Cup 2024
India secured a crucial win against Pakistan, defeating them by six wickets in the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024. Despite the victory, India’s net run rate (NRR) remained a concern. Going into the game with an NRR of -2.90, India needed a big win to move up the points table, but they could only tick one of those boxes – getting two points with a sluggish chase on a hot afternoon in Dubai.
The bowlers, led by Arundhati Reddy and Shreyanka Patil, set up India’s win, sharing five of the eight wickets Pakistan lost. Pakistan struggled to 105 for 8, with Nida Dar top-scoring with 28. On a slow, spin-friendly surface, Pakistan’s spinners made it tough for India as well. India managed to chase the target in 19 overs with only five boundaries in total – three from Shafali Verma and one each from Harmanpreet Kaur and S Sajana. Harmanpreet, batting at her usual No. 4, was the only Indian in the top six with a strike rate above 100.
Pakistan Starts Strong with Early Intent
Before the match, Pakistan’s captain Fatima Sana emphasized using aggressive tactics to unsettle India. The openers followed through, trying to make the most of their opportunity after Pakistan won the toss and chose to bat. Gull Feroza looked to counter Renuka Singh’s swing early on but fell in the opening over. Muneeba Ali was more proactive, using the crease to manipulate Renuka’s deliveries and find gaps over the in-field, but the score didn’t quite reflect her efforts.
India Fights Back with Reddy and Patil
With Pooja Vastrakar sidelined due to a niggle, Arundhati Reddy took on the extra responsibility and made an immediate impact. In her second over, she dismissed Sidra Amin, and despite an early drop, she struck again, getting Omaima Sohail to miscue one to mid-off. Pakistan’s progress stalled as Muneeba struggled to break free. Shreyanka Patil capitalized on this, tempting Muneeba into a risky shot, which Richa Ghosh swiftly converted into a stumping.
Nida Dar fought hard to keep the scoreboard moving, but regular wickets kept Pakistan in check. Reddy trapped Aliya Riaz lbw, and Patil dismissed Tuba Hassan for a duck. Sana Fatima showed some fight, hitting Asha for consecutive boundaries, but Richa Ghosh took a brilliant one-handed catch to remove her. Reddy bowled Dar to claim her third wicket and restrict Pakistan to 105.
India’s Tough Chase
India’s task was not only to win but to boost their NRR by chasing down 106 runs in 11.2 overs. However, their chase was far from ideal. They struggled to score in the powerplay, going without a boundary for six overs. Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana found it hard to put away the spinners, with Mandhana falling after being tied down by the fielders.
Sana Fatima kept the pressure on by bowling 13 out of the first 15 overs with spinners. Shafali eventually broke the boundary drought in the eighth over, hitting a pull shot for four. She added two more boundaries before being dismissed for 32. At the other end, Jemimah Rodrigues worked hard to keep the scoreboard ticking but couldn’t find the boundaries India needed. Her dismissal, followed by Richa Ghosh’s, gave Pakistan hope of a comeback.
Harmanpreet Kaur almost took India home with Deepti Sharma’s support, but a neck injury forced her to retire hurt. In the end, S Sajana hit the winning boundary to secure the win for India, keeping their record intact against Pakistan in women’s T20Is.
