Colombo: The contrasting knocks of Harleen Deol and Richa Ghosh found ample support from the bowlers as India etched a commanding 88-run win over Pakistan in a drama-filled ICC Women’s World Cup match here on Sunday.
Deol’s composed 46 off 65 balls and Richa Ghosh’s spirited 20-ball 35 lifted India to a competitive 247 on a sluggish track after the match referee erroneously ruled the toss in favour of Pakistan, who elected to bowl first.
Fast bowler Kranti Gaud (3/20) broke through Pakistan’s early batting, while the Indian spinners cleaned up the middle-order and tail, bowling them out for 159. Pakistan had a fighting knock from Sidra Amin (81 off 106 balls). With this victory, India extended their perfect ODI record against Pakistan to 12 0.
The match followed a familiar pattern, and though hostility was expected, it was mostly absent. Yet, the day was not without drama. India stuck to their “no-handshake” practice at the toss and after the match, continuing what they had done during the men’s Asia Cup in the UAE.
The toss mistake added to a list of odd events, which later included a bizarre run-out and a 15-minute delay when bugs invaded the field. Back to the game: Pakistan’s chase of 248 began in chaos. Opener Muneeba Ali (2) was dramatically run out. Facing Gaud, she had survived an LBW appeal, but as she strayed out of her crease, Deepti Sharma threw a perfect direct hit to break the stumps while her bat was off the ground. Pakistan’s skipper, Fatima Sana, argued with the umpire after that decision.
Gaud struck again soon after, dismissing Sadaf Shamas (6) caught off her own bowling, and then Aliya Riaz (2), reducing Pakistan to 26/3. As India’s bowling pressure increased, Sidra and Natalia Pervaiz (33) mounted a 69-run partnership, temporarily steadying their innings, until the collapse resumed.
At the start, Indian batters struggled on the slow surface, but Deol’s innings brought stability during Ghosh’s quick cameo, pushing India closer to a strong total. Pratika Rawal (31) gave India a solid opening burst, hitting Diana Baig with three fours in a row. But Smriti Mandhana (23) fell early again, this time trapped lbw by Fatima Sana after an earlier unsuccessful appeal off Baig.
Pakistan’s bowlers kept good lines, mixing up their pace, and denied Indian batters any rhythm. Baig (4/69) and Sana (2/38) took the lion’s share of wickets, collecting six between them.
Rawal was next to go, edging a cut shot onto the off stump. Deol then built a 39-run stand with Harmanpreet (19) and added another 45 with Jemimah Rodrigues (32). But Harmanpreet edged an inside edge at a crucial moment, and Deol, despite anchoring the innings, tried to accelerate too early and gave away her wicket.
Jemimah, who had a close escape earlier on a no-ball, was dismissed for 32 as Pakistan maintained relentless pressure. Then the experienced pair Deepti Sharma and Sneh Rana (20) added 42 runs to steady things for India.
Just when Pakistan seemed to be choking India’s momentum with five late wickets, Richa Ghosh unleashed a furious mini-innings. She smashed three fours and two sixes including a bold sweep which took India past 240 and to a defendable total.
