By Alam Zeb Safi
BIRMINGHAM: A masterful all-round performance from Deepti Sharma and a sparkling fifty by Smriti Mandhana propelled India Women to a commanding 64-run victory over arch-rivals Pakistan Women in their ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Group 1 fixture at Edgbaston on Sunday.
After Mandhana’s aggressive 68 anchored India to a robust 170 for six, off-spinner Sharma dismantled the Pakistani batting lineup with an extraordinary spell of five for 10, bundling them out for 106 in 17 overs. Opting to bat after winning the toss, India suffered an early setback when opener Shafali Verma struck a lone six before falling to spinner Sadia Iqbal for six in the first over. Jemimah Rodrigues followed shortly after for just one, leaving India stuttering at 18 for two. Mandhana was then joined by skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and the duo systematically seized control. They compiled a vital 91-run partnership for the third wicket off just 63 deliveries, steadying the innings and pushing India past the 100-run mark.
Mandhana was the chief aggressor, smashing nine boundaries and two towering sixes in her 44-ball 68 before mistiming Rameen Shamim to Fatima Sana.
Kaur played a calculated anchor role, striking four boundaries in her 35-ball 36. Following a brief middle-order wobble where Bharti Fulmali (1) went cheaply, Richa Ghosh provided the late-innings fireworks. Ghosh played a blistering cameo, smashing five boundaries and a six in a 17-ball 34, operating at a strike rate of 200. Sharma remained unbeaten on 12 off nine balls (one four) to guide India to a formidable 170.
Pakistan’s bowlers endured a tough outing with Sadia Iqbal (2-41) and captain Fatima Sana (2-33) picking up two wickets apiece, though both proved expensive under the Indian onslaught. Chasing 171, Pakistan started with intent during the powerplay, racing to 52 for one after six overs. Opener Muneeba Ali top-scored with a fighting 35-ball 41, which included five boundaries. Gull Feroza (12) and Ayesha Zafar (12, two fours) made brief contributions but the wheels completely came off the chase once Sharma was introduced into the attack.
Sharma extracted relentless control and turn, tearing through Pakistan’s middle and lower order. She dismissed Gul Feroza, Ayesha Zafar and the dangerous Aliya Riaz (18), before wrapping up the tail by dismissing Tasmia Rubab and Nashra Sandhu to register magnificent figures of 4-0-10-5.
Seamer Shree Charani provided brilliant support from the other end, slicing through the opposition with three for 21 in her four overs, accounting for Saira Jabeen (2), Natalia Pervaiz (7), and Rameen Shamim (4). Pakistan collapsed catastrophically from a comfortable 53 for one, losing their final nine wickets for just 53 runs to finish well short of the target in front of a vocal crowd of 18,814.
Summarised scores:
India Women Innings: 170/6 in 20 overs: Smriti Mandhana 68 (44b, 9×4, 2×6) Harmanpreet Kaur 36 (35b, 4×4), Richa Ghosh 34 (17b, 5×4, 1×6),
Pakistan bowling: Fatima Sana 4-0-33-2, Sadia Iqbal 4-0-41-2, Rameen Shamim 4-0-30-1, Tasmia Rubab 4-0-41-1
Pakistan Women Innings: 106 all out in 17 overs (Target: 171) Muneeba Ali 41 (35b, 5×4), Aliya Riaz 18 (17b, 1×4), Gull Feroza 12 (9b, 2×4), Ayesha Zafar 12 (8b, 2×4), India Bowling: Deepti Sharma 4-0-10-5, Shree Charani 4-0-21-3, Shafali Verma 3-0-22-1,
Result: India Women won by 64 runs
Player of the Match: Deepti Sharma (India Women)
