IND vs PAK Highlights: Richa Ghosh of India takes catch to dismiss Nashra Sandhu of Pakistan during the women's world cup cricket match between India and Pakistan at Bay Oval in Mt Maunganui, New Zealand, Sunday, March. 6, 2022. (John Cowpland/Photosport via AP) India Vs Pakistan highlights (Women’s World Cup 2022): India produced an all-round effort to cruise to a 107-run win against Pakistan and begin their ICC Women’s World Cup campaign on a positive note on Sunday. Half-centuries by Pooja Vastrakar (67), Smriti Mandhana (52) and Sneh Rana (53 not out) helped India post a tricky 244 for seven after the team opted to bat. The Indian bowlers, led by left-arm spinner Rajeshwari Gayakwad (4/31), then dismissed Pakistan for 137 in 43 overs.
Earlier, India were under pressure after opener Shafali Verma was dismissed for a duck. A 92-run stand between Mandhana (52 off 75) and Deepti Sharma (40) helped steady the ship while Rana (53 not out) and Vastrakar’s (67) 122-run partnership took India to a respectable total.
Brief scores:
India: 244 for 7 in 50 overs (Pooja Vastrakar 67, Sneh Rana 53 not out; Nashra Sandhu 2/36, Nida Dar 2/45)
Pakistan: 137 all out in 43 overs (Sidra Ameen 30, Daina Baig 24; Rajeshwari Gayakwad 4/31)
Will Mithali's dream of holding the 'elusive' trophy be fulfilled?
At one stage, India were reeling at 114 for 6 in 33-1 overs. Thereafter, a 122-run stand for the seventh wicket between Pooja Vastrakar and Sneh Rana helped India to reach 244 for 7 at the break. Earlier, Mithali Raj, playing her sixth World Cup won the flip of the coin and opted to bat on a used surface. India was under pressure after opener Shafali Verma was dismissed for a duck. A 92-run stand between Mandhana (52 off 75) and Deepti Sharma (40) helped steady the ship. But India’s middle over collapsed as they lost five wickets in 18 runs and Pakistan were sniffing their first win against India. However, Rana and Vastrakar’s partnership took India to a respectable total. [Read More]
'I'm very happy, my first player of the match award, in my first WC game. The plan was to somehow try and get to 200. I like to bat in pressure situations, even in domestics, I told the same to Sneh (Rana), to keep the partnership going. The batters told us that the wicket was slow, so the target was 200, but we didn't bat differently. The physio said that the injury will heal quickly and I'll be back soon.'
Mithali Raj, Indian skipper: I am happy we won the first game but a lot of things to work on. When you lose wickets in the middle order, it does put a lot of pressure. The top-order has to score runs in a big tournament like this. When you have all-rounders like Sneh, Deepti and Pooja, we extend our batting line up. Hope Pooja would be fine before the next game.
Bismah Maroof, Pakistan skipper: We bowled well in the middle. We were in the game. We bowled some loose balls and Sneh as well as Pooja played well. Credit to them. We bowled some bad balls and gave away easy runs. We were sloppy on the field as well. I think we were doing well and leaked some runs. Didn't capitalize on the momentum. We need to focus more on batting as we didn't play some good shots today.
It is all over for Pakistan! Diana Baig goes for the slog and it is straight to Harmanpreet Kaur at long on. India win the match by 107 runs.
With Daina Baig (17) and Anam Amin (2)at crease, Pakistan still need 118 runs in 60 balls with one wicket in hand.
India are just one wicket away from their win. Pakistan lost their 9th to Sneh Rana. Nashra Sandhu caught out by Richa Ghosh. PAK 114/9
India's Rajeshwari Gayakwad continues to make it difficult for Pakistan as the left hand spinner sent Sidra Nawaz back to the pavilion. Pakistan in deep trouble as they still need 131 runs in 80 balls to win. PAK 114/8
Rajeshwari Gayakwad has the third wicket. Fatima Sana departs for 17. Pakistan is tottering at 98 for 7. It has been a dominating performance by the Indian bowlers. IND: 244 for 7 vs PAK: 98/67 in 33.3 overs (Sidra Nawaz 3*)
Fatima Sana lbw b Gayakwad 17
Another one bites the dust. Super glovework by Richa Ghosh, second wicket for Rajeshwari Gayakwad. Riaz goes for a wide slog and misses it completely. Ghosh removes the bails in a flash and Riaz is stumped. IND: 244 for 7 vs PAK: 87/6 in 30 overs (Fatima Sana 9*) Aliya Riaz st †Ghosh b Gayakwad 11
Another one for Jhulan Goswami. Poor shot selection from Nida Dar. She is gone for 5. Half of the Pakistan side is back in the hut. IND: 244 for 7 vs PAK: 70/5 in 21.5 overs ( Alia Riaz 3*)
Nida Dar c Ghosh b Goswami 4
Another wicket for India. Jhulan Goswami induced the edge of Sidra Ameen and Richa Ghosh took an easy catch. Pakistan is in deep trouble, and maybe out of contention to win the match. They will need a miraculous recovery from here to win this match. IND: 244 for 7 vs PAK: 68/4 in 21.5 overs ( Nida Dar 4* ALia Riaz 1*)
Sidra Ameen c Ghosh b Goswami 30
Sneh Rana joins the act now. Deepti Sharma takes a sharp catch at the slip, Omaima Sohail is gone for 5. The spinners are doing the trick for India. IND: 244 for 7 vs PAK: 58/3 in 18 overs ( Sidra Ameen 26*)
Omaima Sohail c Sharma b Rana 5
Deepti Sharma gets the wicket of Pakistan skipper Bismah Maroof. Super low catch from Richa Ghosh. Maroof goes for the sweep, gets a bottom edge and Richa Gosh takes a brilliant catch behind stumps. IND: 244 for 7 vs PAK: 56/2 in 18 overs ( Sidra Ameen 26*)
Bismah Maroof c Ghosh b Sharma 15
Pakistan skipper Bismah Maroof is off the mark with a boundary! Short from Deepti, Maroof cuts this past point for a boundary. IND: 244 for 7 vs PAK: 33/1 in 12 overs ( Sidra Ameen 17* Bismah Maroof 4*)
Rajeshwari Gayakwad with the wicket. Javeria Khan departs for 11. Bowling change has worked! Gayakwad gets the breakthrough! Wadood tries to go over long on but couldn't clear Goswami at mid on. She takes an easy catch here. IND: 244 for 7 vs PAK: 29/1 in 11.1 overs ( Sidra Ameen 17*)
Javeria Khan c Goswami b Gayakwad 11
First boundary of the Pakistan innings! Ameen drives this wide of mid-off for a boundary. IND: 244 for 7 vs PAK: 12/0 in 8 overs (Javeria Khan 1* Sidra Ameen 10*)
Indian seamers Jhulan Goswami and Meghna Singh has given away nothing so far. Jhulan and Meghna has bowled one maiden each. IND: 244 for 7 vs PAK: 6/0 in 5 overs (Javeria Khan 0* Sidra Ameen 5*)
Four runs came from Jhulan Goswami's first over. Pakistan will have to achieve their highest score ever if they are to record their first-ever World Cup win over India. IND: 244 for 7 vs PAK: 4/0 in 1 over (Javeria Khan 0* Sidra Ameen 3*)
First Powerplay (1-10 Ov): India - 33/1 (3.3 rpo)
Second Powerplay (11-25 Ov): India - 67/2 (4.46 rpo)
Second Powerplay (26-40 Ov): India - 60/3 (4 rpo)
Third Powerplay (41-50 Ov): India - 84/1 (8.4 rpo)