It was time for the high-octane clash featuring India, led by skipper Deepika TC, against Pakistan, led by skipper Nimra Rafique, in the 10th match, at BOI Ground, Colombo, in the inaugural edition of the Women’s T20 World Cup for the Blind 2025, from 11th to 23rd February 2025. It was also the 2nd fixture of the day on 16th February 2025.
India are on an unbeaten run with a four-match winning streak. Pakistan also began their campaign with a hammering 211-run win against Sri Lanka in their first game of their campaign. Earlier in the day, Nepal thrashed the USA by 10 wickets in Bengaluru.
Indian skipper Deepika TC won the toss and opted to field first. Clinical spell from the Indian bowlers sent the Pakistani top-order back to the pavilion. As a result, they were reduced to 33/5 in the 8th over of the innings, when Bushra Ashraf joined Mehreen Ali at the crease. The duo bailed their side out of trouble with a much-needed 83-run partnership for the 6th wicket, which also took them past the 100-run mark.
A run-out ended Mehreen Ali’s (66 off 57 balls) stay at the crease in the 18th over of the innings, to provide the 6th breakthrough for India. She scored a brilliant half-century before getting dismissed. Bushra Ashraf (44 off 38 balls) provided the impetus towards the backend of the innings to take Pakistan’s total to 135/8 in their quota of 20 overs.
Phula Saren (4-0-29-1) and Anu Kumari (4-0-37-1) were the only wicket-takers with the ball for India. Vice-captain Ganga Kadam (3-0-10-0) and skipper Deepika TC (3-0-15-0) played their part with the ball for India.
Chasing a target of 136, India lost the wicket of their opening batter Simu Das in the 2nd over of the run chase. Noor Fatima provided the first breakthrough for Pakistan. Anekha Devi joined skipper Deepika TC at the crease, and the duo settled the nerves with a much-needed 88-run partnership for the 2nd wicket. A run-out ended skipper Deepika TC’s (45 off 21 balls) promising stay at the crease in the 8th over of the run chase.
Anekha Devi (64* off 34 balls) kept the scorecard ticking before guiding India over the line alongside Phula Saren (9* off 6 balls), with 8 wickets in hand and 58 balls to spare.
Anekha Devi Thakur was awarded the Player of the Match for her impressive performance (64* off 34 balls) with the bat for her side. The massive win has ensured that India has officially booked their spot in the semi-final of the inaugural edition of the Women’s T20 World Cup 2025.
Loves all things female cricket