On Sunday, in the fourth match of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, Pakistan were chasing 245 in 50 overs against India.
Pakistan started off the run chase on a steady note as they piled up 26 runs in the first 10 overs without losing a wicket, thanks to the opening pair of Javeria Khan and Sidra Ameen. However, in the 11th over, Rajeshwari Gayakwad got the better of Khan (11 runs off 28 balls). Ameen top scored with 30 runs off 64 balls, including three boundaries. Pakistan’s captain Bismah Maroof (15 runs off 25 balls), Aliya Riaz (11 runs off 23 balls), Fatima Sana (17 runs off 35 balls) and Sidra Nawaz (12 runs off 19 balls) got off to starts but failed to capitalize. Towards the end, Diana Baig played some big shots as she muscled an unbeaten 24 off 35 balls, including two boundaries. Pakistan was bowled out for 137 in 43 overs, losing the match by 107 runs.
For India, left arm spinner Rajeshwari Gayakwad wreaked havoc with the ball as she scalped 4-31 in her 10 overs. Gayakwad extracted turn and bounce from the wicket making it difficult for the Pakistani batters to score freely off her. She received good support from Jhulan Goswami who struck with 2-26 in her 10 overs, including one maiden over and Sneh Rana who accounted for 2-27 in her nine overs. India’s other speedster Meghna Singh chipped in with 1-21 in her seven overs and bowled as many as three maiden overs. Deepti Sharma, who early in the match scored 40 runs off 57 balls, contributed with the ball as she picked up 1-31 in her seven overs.
India’s Pooja Vastrakar won the player of the match for her match-winning batting performance of 67 runs off 59 balls. She stitched a record seventh wicket partnership of 122 runs with Sneh Rana (53 not out off 48 balls) for any World Cup match.
1st ‘Player of the Match’ Award and that too in a Debut World Cup Match! 🇮🇳
Pooja Vastrakar ❤️🔥 #CWC22 #INDvPAK 📸 Disney+Hotstar pic.twitter.com/IDl0fCRJJR
— Female Cricket #CWC22 (@imfemalecricket) March 6, 2022
With this win, India have registered their 11th straight win against Pakistan. India’s captain Mithali Raj has been a part of all the 11 wins.
India and Pakistan will play their next fixtures on March 10 against New Zealand and on March 8 against Australia respectively.
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