CWG 2022: Cricket fraternity reacts as bowlers, Smriti Mandhana power India to easy 8-wicket win over Pakistan

India registered their first win at the Commonwealth Games 2022.

Smriti Mandhana struck 63* | Getty Images

Arch-rivals India and Pakistan clashed in the Group A fixture on Sunday (July 31) at Edgbaston with the Indians putting up a dominating all-round performance to register their first win at the Commonwealth Games (CWG 2022) by 8 wickets.

Rain delayed the start of the much-awaited game, before finally clearing up to allow an 18 overs per-side contest. Pakistan won the toss and surprisingly opted to bat first despite the weather conditions, a move that backfired quite badly.

Apart from opener Muneeba Ali's 30-ball 32, none of the Pakistani batters could reach 20 as they were bowled out for just 99 on the final ball of their innings. There were as many three run outs as Sneh Rana and Radha Yadav took two wickets each, with Renuka Thakur, Meghna Singh and Shafali Verma picking up one apiece.

India's response was a strong one led by Smriti Mandhana as she smashed 63* off 42 balls with 8 fours and 3 sixes, while Shafali Verma (16), S Meghana (14) and Jemimah Rodrigues (2*) provided good support from the other end to seal an 8-wicket win with 38 balls to spare.

India will now take on Barbados on August 3 in what's likely to be a virtual quarter-final clash with the winner progressing to the semi-finals.

Here's how the cricketing fraternity reacted to India's 8-wicket win against Pakistan:

 

 
 

By Saurabh Malhotra - 31 Jul, 2022

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