India women’s team started their T20 World Cup 2023 tournament in South Africa on a winning note as they took down arch-rivals Pakistan in great fashion on Sunday, February 12, 2023, in Cape Town.
Pakistan captain Bismah Maroof had won the toss and chose to bat first on a decent wicket. For India, Smriti Mandhana missed out due to a finger injury and Harleen Deol came in for her.
Deepti Sharma removed Javeria Khan for 8 and Radha Yadav got rid of Muneeba Ali for 12 runs. But captain Bismah Maroof anchored one end though Indian bowlers dismissed Nida Dar (0) and Sidra Ameen (11).
She finally found an ally in Ayesha Naseem, who hammered 43* in just 25 balls with 2 fours and 2 sixes, while Maroof remained unbeaten on 68 with 7 fours, as Pakistan posted 149/7 from 68/4 at one point of time.
Radha Yadav picked up 2/21 and was the pick of bowlers from India.
In reply, Yastika Bhatia (17) and Shafali Verma (33) added 38 runs in 5.3 overs. But then Nashra Sandhu dismissed Shafali and Harmanpreet (16) in quick succession. But Jemimah Rodrigues and Richa Ghosh kept their composures and took the team home.
Rodrigues remained not out on 53 in 38 balls with 8 fours and Ghosh made 31* in 20 balls with 5 overs, including three consecutive ones to Aiman Anwer to bring India closer to the win. India finally won the match by 7 wickets.
Jemimah was named the Player of the Match as she took India to win by hitting three fours in the 19th over to Fatima Sana.
The cricket fraternity was all praiseful of the Indian women’s team’s hard-fought win and lauded them on Twitter.
Here are the tweets:
