India defeats Pakistan in Womens T20 World Cup opener

India Defeats Pakistan in Women’s T20 World Cup Opener

Smriti Mandhana scored 68 runs and Deepti Sharma took five wickets as India secured a 64-run win over Pakistan in the opening match of the Women’s Twenty20 World Cup. The match, held at Edgbaston Cricket Ground in Birmingham, United Kingdom, was attended by a sellout crowd.

Pakistan was bowled out for 106 runs, with Deepti Sharma taking the last three wickets in five balls. Shree Charani supported her with 3-21. India defended their target of 170 and made it difficult for Pakistan to chase down the score.

Deepti Sharma’s performance was impressive, as she took the first two wickets of Pakistan’s chase and then ran out Muneeba Ali on 41 in the 11th over. When Pakistan captain Fatima Sana fell in the next over at 77-5, her team struggled to recover.

Smriti Mandhana also had a notable innings, scoring 68 runs off 24 balls before being dropped twice and eventually dismissed for 55. India’s Richa Ghosh contributed 34 runs off 17 balls, helping the team reach their target of 150.

India has dominated the World Cup rivalry with Pakistan in both men’s and women’s formats. The Indian team did not shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts after the match, following a similar trend set by their men’s team in last year’s Asia Cup.

In another match at the same venue, Bangladesh pulled off a record chase against the Netherlands, reaching 141-4 with five balls remaining. The South Asian team were led by opening batter Juairiya Ferdous, who hit her second 50 since her T20 debut in January.

Source: Al Jazeera