Deepti Sharma tries to dismiss Pakistan’s Natalia Parvez during the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, Group I cricket match between India and Pakistan in Birmingham, England.
Smriti Mandhana scored 68 runs and Deepti Sharma claimed a career-best five-wicket haul as India kicked off their Women’s T20 World Cup campaign with a 64-run win over Pakistan at Edgbaston on Sunday.Mandhana’s 68 off 44 balls and Richa Ghosh’s 34 off 17 deliveries helped India post 170 for 6 after being asked to bat.
In response, Pakistan were bowled out for 106 off 17 overs, Muniba Ali’s 41 off 35 balls being her highest score.Dipti shined with the ball, returning figures of 5 for 10 in four overs. The off-spinner also became the highest wicket-taker in the history of the Women’s T20 International during the match. Left-arm spinner Shree Sharani supported her well with figures of 3 for 21, while Shafali Verma scalped the wicket.Pakistan never managed to build momentum in the chase. Muniba looked comfortable at the crease before her innings ended with a direct hit from Deepti.With the match being played on a used Edgbaston surface, the Indian spinners took full advantage of the conditions. The pitch displayed some spin and grip, which made stroke play difficult for the Pakistani batsmen.Earlier, India found themselves under pressure at 18 for 2 after losing Shafali Verma for 6 and Jemima Rodrigues for 1.
Mandhana and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur stabilized the innings with a 91-run partnership for the third wicket.India were 30 for 2 at the end of the Powerplay before the duo accelerated. Mandhana reached her half-century in 34 balls and finished with nine fours and two sixes.She got two chances during her innings. Firstly, she was dropped mid-match from a game of bowling named Rabab. Later, another chance fell on a long-on boundary off the bowling of Sadia Iqbal, with the ball slipping out of the fielder’s hands for a six.Mandhana’s innings ended when she miscued Ramin Shamim’s shot and Pakistan captain Fatima Sana completed the catch.Harmanpreet contributed 36 off 35 balls before falling to Sanaa, while Bharti Fulmali was stumped for a duck soon after Mandhana’s dismissal.Richa Ghosh then provided the late push with a quick-fire 34. India collected 23 runs from the penultimate over on Rubab’s bowler, helping them to 170 for 6.For Pakistan, Sadia Iqbal took 2 for 41 and captain Fatima Sana returned 2 for 33.The Indian bowlers then took control, with Deepti leading the way as Pakistan were bowled out for 106, giving India a comfortable win in the opening match of the tournament.
