MOUNT MAUNGANUI: India’s lower order batters Sneh Rana and Pooja Vastrakar put on a fighting 122-runs partnership before the bowlers annihilated Pakistan’s batting line-up to power their side to a consolidating 107 runs victory, here on Sunday.
In the first world cup game of the two arch-rivals, India emerged out as victorious as the side defeated Pakistan by a massive 107 runs margin.
Indian lower batters Sneh and Pooja provided an anchored 122 runs partnership for the eighth wicket when the side was stranded at 114/6 in the 34th over; powering their side to a commendable 244/7 in the allotted 50 overs.
The duo played sensibly and scored half-centuries to put their side into the commanding position against Pakistan. Pooja top-scored with 67, while Sneh followed back with 53.
Coming out to bat first, India had an unwanted start as the side lost their opener, Shafali Verma, at a combined score of four. The right-handed batter bagged a six-ball duck before being castled by Nida Dar.
Indian opener, Smriti Mandhana and Deepti Sharma then provided a rescuing partnership for the side; putting on a valiant 94 runs partnership for the second wicket before Deepti walked back to the pavilion after scoring 40.
Soon after Deepti’s dismissal, Mandhana also walked back to the pavilion after scoring a gritty half-century. She scored 52 off 75 balls with the help of three boundaries and a six.
Their dismissals triggered a collapse and the side was soon slipped to 114/6 in the 34th over.
For Pakistan, Nida and Nashra Sandhu bagged two wickets each, while Diana Baig, Anam Amin, and Fatima Sana picked up a wicket each.
Set to chase 245, Pakistan’s batting line-up failed completely and could only manage to score 137 before being bowled out in 43 overs.
The right-handed opener Sidra Ameen and Diana resisted a bit for the green shirts; scoring 30 and 24 respectively, while the rest of the batters failed to contribute significantly in the run chase against the arch-rivals.
For India, Rajeshwari Gayakwad bagged four wickets, while Sneh and Jhulan Goswami claimed two wickets each. Deepti and Meghna Singh, on the other hand, struck out a batter apiece.
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