India Defy Insect Plague to Cruise to Chilly Win Over Pakistani Rivals in Women's World Cup

The seam bowler Kranti Goud and the spinner Sharma took three wickets each as India defeated their opponents by 88 runs in their World Cup encounter, which began similar to recent fixtures between the men’s national sides with no handshake from the captains and then featured a disputed run-out of a Pakistani opening batter.

India’s captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, declined to shake hands with Sana during the coin toss and the teams departed without post-match pleasantries after the contest amidst political tensions between the two south Asian neighbours.

The captains at the recent men’s Asia Cup in the UAE also did not shake hands at matches between India and Pakistan. Indian authorities have alleged Pakistan of having involvement in tourist assaults that claimed many lives.

Game Overview

Losing the toss, they were all out for 247 in their allotted overs. The opening pair, Pratika Rawal and star player Smriti Mandhana, shared 48 for the opening stand before the bowler had Mandhana lbw for a 32-ball 23. She made 31 before she was bowled by the left-arm spinner Iqbal. The captain scored 19 before she was caught behind off Diana Baig.

Harleen Deol top-scored for India with 46 and Ghosh made a rapid 35 not out to boost their side to a respectable score.

Rodrigues (32), Deepti (25) and Rana (20) all made valuable contributions, while Baig took 4/69 for Pakistan and Iqbal and Sana had two wickets each. Play was stopped for 15 minutes because insects were bothering the players.

Pakistan Batting

The Pakistani team were dismissed for 159 in 43 overs. Sole fifty of the game in Colombo came from Amin, who made 81 runs.

The opening wicket was taken in a confusing manner when the opener Muneeba Ali was adjudged run out. She had grounded her bat after getting back, having stepped out to attempt a stroke. The bat was then lifted momentarily when an India throw hit the stumps. The captain argued with the fourth umpire that the player was not attempting a run but the decision stood.

Amin’s 106-ball innings included a maximum and nine boundaries. Goud took three wickets for 20 runs and Sharma finished with 3/45.