Harmanpreet Kaur Leads India to Thrilling Win Over Pakistan in Women’s T20 World Cup
India defeated Pakistan by six wickets in an exciting match at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup on Sunday, held at the Dubai International Stadium.
Pakistan, led by Fatima Sana, batted first and set a target of 106 runs, scoring 105 runs for the loss of eight wickets in 20 overs.
India opened their innings with Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana. The pair made a steady start, reaching 18 runs in just over four overs. However, Mandhana was dismissed by Sadia Iqbal on the very next ball, leaving India at 18/1.
Jemimah Rodrigues joined Verma at the crease, and together, they guided India to 50 runs by the end of the 10th over. At this point, India needed 56 more runs from 60 balls to win.
Verma played well but was dismissed by Omaima Sohail after scoring 32 runs from 35 balls, including three fours. This left India at 61/2.
Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur then took charge, partnering with Rodrigues. But soon after, Rodrigues was caught by Pakistan’s wicketkeeper Muneeba Ali after scoring 23 runs from 28 balls. Rodrigues fell to Pakistan’s captain, Fatima Sana, who had promised to keep up the pressure on India. She struck again on the very next ball, as Richa Ghosh was caught behind, leaving India struggling at 80/4 in the 16th over.
India needed 19 runs from 24 balls, but Fatima Sana couldn’t complete a hat-trick. Harmanpreet Kaur remained steady, scoring 29 runs from 24 balls and guiding India closer to victory before retiring hurt. Sajana Sajeevan sealed the win by hitting a boundary.
Earlier in the day, Pakistan won the toss and chose to bat, hoping to take advantage of their bowlers. Pakistan’s openers, Muneeba Ali and Gull Feroza, began the innings, but Feroza was bowled out for zero in the first over.
Sidra Amin came in next but could only manage eight runs from 11 balls. Despite a shaky start, Muneeba hit two boundaries in the third over, taking advantage of several wide balls from Renuka Singh. But by the ninth over, Pakistan was struggling at 41/3.
Omaima Sohail only scored three runs, and two other players failed to reach double figures. Muneeba Ali, who was Pakistan’s highest scorer, was dismissed after making 17 runs from 26 balls.
Aliya Riaz was out soon after in the 12th over, and Fatima Sana tried to hold the innings together but was dismissed for 13 runs, including two fours, by Asha Sobhana. Pakistan was in deep trouble at 70/6 by the end of the 14th over.
Tuba Hassan also went out for zero runs after facing three balls, leaving the pressure on former captain Nida Dar and Syeda Aroob Shah. Dar played cautiously, scoring 28 runs from 34 balls, before being dismissed on the second-to-last ball of the innings. Pakistan finished at 105/8, leaving a low but potentially defendable target for their bowlers.
However, India’s batting strength proved too much for Pakistan’s bowlers, and India easily chased down the target.
India Playing XI:
Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Smriti Mandhana (vice-captain), Shafali Verma, Deepti Sharma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (wicketkeeper), Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Singh, Asha Sobhana, Shreyanka Patil, Sajana Sajeevan.
Pakistan Playing XI:
Fatima Sana (captain), Aliya Riaz, Gull Feroza, Muneeba Ali, Nashra Sandhu, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, Syeda Aroob Shah, Tuba Hassan.
