In a thrilling encounter at the Dubai International Stadium, India secured their maiden victory in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 by defeating arch-rivals Pakistan by six wickets. India chased down a modest target of 106 runs in 18.5 overs, showcasing a balanced performance in both batting and bowling.
The Indian batting lineup began their innings with a shaky start, losing experienced opener Smriti Mandhana for just 7 runs in the fourth over, falling to Sadia Iqbal. However, Shafali Verma and Jemimah Rodrigues steadied the innings with a cautious partnership, adding 43 runs before Verma was dismissed by Omaima Sohail, leaving the scoreboard at 61 for 2 in nearly 12 overs. Verma top-scored for India with 32 runs off 35 balls.
As the innings progressed, the Pakistani bowlers began to apply pressure. In a surprising turn, captain Fatima Sana claimed two wickets in two consecutive deliveries during the 16th over, dismissing Rodrigues and wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh. With the match hanging in the balance, Harmanpreet Kaur played a crucial innings, scoring 29 runs off 34 balls before being retired hurt with India just needing four runs for victory. Sajeevan Sajna and Deepti Sharma, who remained unbeaten with scores of 4 and 7 respectively, secured the win for India.
For Pakistan, captain Fatima Sana stood out with the ball, returning figures of 2 for 23, while Iqbal and Sohail claimed one wicket each.
Earlier, Pakistan’s decision to bat first backfired as they managed to score only 105 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in their 20 overs. The innings began disastrously for Pakistan, losing opener Gull Feroza in the very first over. They struggled further, losing Sidra Amin and Omaima Sohail within the first seven overs, leaving them at 33 for 3.
Muneeba Ali tried to anchor the innings with a cautious knock of 17 runs, but her dismissal at the hands of Shreyanka Patil put Pakistan in a dire position at 41 for 4. The lower order continued to crumble, with skipper Fatima Sana and Nida Dar attempting to stabilize the innings. Sana’s wicket in the 14th over marked a turning point for Pakistan, who kept losing wickets regularly. Dar managed to contribute a fighting 28 runs off 34 balls before departing in the final over. Syeda Aroob Shah added a late 14 runs, but the team could only muster 105.
Indian bowlers dominated, with Arundhati Reddy claiming three wickets and Shreyanka Patil taking two, while Renuka Singh, Deepti Sharma, and Asha Sobhana each bagged one wicket.
Pakistan Squad: Fatima Sana (c), Aliya Riaz, Gull Feroza, Muneeba Ali, Nashra Sundhu, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, Syeda Aroob Shah, Tuba Hassan.
India Squad: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana (vc), Shafali Verma, Deepti Sharma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (wk), Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Singh, Asha Sobhana, Shreyanka Patil, Sajana Sajeevan.
