India won Sunday’s very closely contested match in Dubai with a victory over Pakistan by six wickets, thanks largely to the composed innings by captain Harmanpreet Kaur. Chasing 106 against Pakistan’s total of 105-8, India suffered precarious positions at 61-1 before Kaur’s steady innings of 29 from 24 balls proved crucial.
A potential crisis in India’s camp had begun:
After a promising start for them, with Pakistan captain Fatima Sana snatching two wickets off two balls that quickly turned the game back into the hands of Pakistan. India required only two runs to win when a slip at this position dislodged it from Kaur, who walked off the field unbeaten. On the following ball, Sajeevan Sajana hit the winning shot for India and defeated Pakistan by seven balls, and the match came to a close at 108-4.
Smriti Mandhana has described:
The match as a reflection of the team’s discipline and execution. “We have been very disciplined, followed the plans. In the field, we were very good. A better start with the bat would have been good, but we will take that win,” she added.
Pakistan’s batting could not boast of even a decent partnership, as Nida Dar, with the top score of 28 from 34 balls, was the only batswoman to reach any kind of decent score. Fatima Sana was frank when she said that her team was about 10-15 runs short and that, though they had won the toss and batted, her side was still below par against brilliant bowling by India led by the manner in which Arundhati Reddy claimed three wickets for 19 runs in her four overs.
Struggling from a loss in the opening match:
India needed this win after being at the edges in Group A. They’re currently fourth in the group, just ahead of Pakistan in net run rate. India face Sri Lanka next; Pakistan takes on favorites Australia on Friday.
It will be West Indies, however, against Scotland in the late match on Sunday, both seeking their first win since losing their Group B openers.
