India Secure Crucial Win Over Pakistan, But Concerns Remain Ahead of Semi-final Push
India Women registered their first victory of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 by defeating Pakistan by six wickets in a tense encounter.
Chasing 106, India got off to a slow start, crawling to just 25-1 after the six-over powerplay without a boundary.
Openers Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana struggled to find rhythm, with Verma scoring a labored 32 from 35 balls and Mandhana departing for just seven. The lack of intent continued to raise eyebrows, as Jemimah Rodrigues contributed 23 from 28 balls in a subdued partnership.
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur, however, played a composed knock of 29 off 24 balls before retiring hurt with India needing just two runs to win. The pressure mounted in the 16th over when Pakistan's Fatima Sana struck twice in two deliveries, dismissing Verma and Deepti Sharma to reignite hopes for her side. With 26 runs still needed, India's chase momentarily wavered, but Sajeevan Sajana hit the winning runs on her first ball to seal the victory.
Harmanpreet's performance was crucial not just for the runs but also in providing stability during a jittery chase.
Her leadership on the field was equally commendable, as she marshaled her bowlers expertly after Pakistan won the toss and opted to bat. India's bowlers, led by Arundhati Reddy’s 3-19, kept Pakistan under pressure throughout their innings, with no batter looking comfortable against the Indian attack.
Nida Dar top-scored for Pakistan with 28 off 34 balls, but regular wickets hampered their efforts to build any meaningful partnerships.
Pakistan’s innings never gained momentum, as India’s bowlers maintained tight control.
Renuka Singh Thakur set the tone by removing opener Gull Feroza in the first over. Shreyanka Patil, Deepti Sharma, and Reddy all contributed, with Pakistan eventually finishing at 105-8.
Despite the victory, India’s tentative approach in the chase left questions about their strategy. With tougher matches ahead, including a crucial clash against defending champions Australia, India will need to find a more aggressive batting rhythm if they are to progress further in the tournament.
Their next match against Sri Lanka is a must-win, and the team will hope that captain Harmanpreet Kaur recovers swiftly from the injury she sustained during the final stages of the game.
Pakistan, on the other hand, remain in contention but face a daunting challenge against Australia in their next match. Both teams are under immense pressure as the group-stage competition intensifies, with semi-final spots still up for grabs.
Key Performances:
- India: Arundhati Reddy (3-19), Harmanpreet Kaur (29 off 24), Shafali Verma (32 off 35)
- Pakistan: Nida Dar (28 off 34), Fatima Sana (2 wickets in one over)
India’s win puts them back on track, but their path to the semi-finals is far from certain as they prepare for the final group-stage matches.