CWC 2022: Mithali Raj happy with victory over Pakistan in tournament opener, but says lots to work on

Pooja Vastrakar, Sneh Rana, Smriti Mandhana and Rajeshwari Gayakwad were the star performers.

Indian team started off with a win over Pakistan in their ICC Women’s World Cup 2022 opening match at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui on March 6, 2022. Skipper Mithali Raj was happy with the victory but said that there was a lot to work on.

Half-centuries from Smriti Mandhana, Sneh Rana, and Pooja Vastrakar saved India the blushes as they made 244/7 in 50 overs after Mithali won the toss and chose to bat first. India was staring at trouble at 114/6, but Rana (53*) and Vastrakar (67) added 122 runs for the seventh wicket.

In reply, Rajeshwari Gayakwad picked 4/31 as only Diana Baig (24) and Sidra Ameen (30) went past the 20-run mark, with Pakistan folding for 137 in 43 overs and losing the match by 107 runs. Jhulan Goswami and Sneh Rana also took wickets apiece.

CWC 2022: Cricket fraternity reacts as India beat Pakistan by 107 runs in their Women's World Cup opener

"I am happy we won the first game but a lot of things to work on. When you lose wickets in the middle order, it does put a lot of pressure. The top-order has to score runs in a big tournament like this. When you have all-rounders like Sneh, Deepti, and Pooja, we extend our batting line up," Mithali said after the game ended.

Pooja Vastrakar was named the Player of the Match for her fighting 67-run knock.

She said during the post-match presentation: "I'm very happy, my first play of the match award, in my first WC game. The plan was to somehow try and get to 200. I like to bat in pressure situations, even in domestics, I told the same to Sneh (Rana), to keep the partnership going.

The batters told us that the wicket was slow, so the target was 200, but we didn't bat differently. The physio said that the injury will heal quickly and I'll be back soon.”

India will next lock horns against New Zealand in the tournament on Thursday.

(ANI inputs)