India’s Women Extend World Cup Dominance Over Pakistan
In Colombo, India continued their impressive run against Pakistan in women’s ODIs, sealing an 88-run victory to claim a 12th consecutive win over their border rivals. The Indian side posted 247/6 and then rode a disciplined bowling performance to dismiss Pakistan for 159 in 43 overs, underscoring their status as the team to beat in the Women’s World Cup.
Player of the Match: Kranti Gaud Shines with 3/20
Kranti Gaud was adjudged Player of the Match for her compelling spell of 3/20 from ten overs, a performance that contained both control and pressure at crucial moments. In the post-match presentation, Gaud spoke about the pride of achieving such a milestone on the world stage and the support from her village. “Feeling really good that I’m the Player of the Match in a World Cup match. People in my village would be proud,” she said, revealing the emotional side of rising through Indian cricket’s ranks. She also recalled advice from captain Harmanpreet Kaur and described the practical, day-to-day focus that keeps a player grounded. Her performance, including the key wickets and a sharp slip-catch earlier in the innings, was pivotal in tightening the Indian grip on the game.
India’s Bowling Unit Takes Charge
Fresh from a comfortable chase in many recent contests, India’s bowlers again did the heavy lifting. Deepti Sharma claimed a late breakthrough, taking the last wicket by Danish Shahbano? No—actually Sadia Iqbal was clean bowled, sealing the innings and leaving Pakistan with a steep chase. Sharma’s spell didn’t stop there; she recorded her third wicket of the night by dismissing Rameen Shamim for a golden duck, a moment that amplified India’s control over the run chase. The all-round threat from Indian bowlers created pressure from the top, forcing Pakistan to attempt risky shots as the required rate climbed steadily.
Pakistan’s Chase: Brave Efforts but Too Little Too Late
Pakistan faced a steep climb after India posted 247. Sidra Amin and Fatima Sana tried to rally the innings, but India’s bowlers kept the scoring pressure high. Early wickets and tight lines left Pakistan needing runs at more than seven an over, a target they could not recover from. Sidra Amin stood out with a resilient 64*, demonstrating grit in trying circumstances, while Nawaz and Sana offered resistance in patches. Despite pockets of resistance, Pakistan’s chase eventually fizzled out at 159 all out, 88 runs short of their target.
Key Moments for Momentum and morale
From the moment Harmanpreet Kaur brought on spin to attack Pakistan’s middle order, India controlled the tempo. Deepti Sharma’s direct-hit attempts and fielding prowess added to the pressure, with a notable moment when she hit the stumps with a crisp throw that unsettled Sidra Amin. The fielding and bowling were complemented by steady batting in the middle order, ensuring India finished with a competitive total and built confidence ahead of upcoming fixtures.
What This Win Means for the Tournament
This victory lifts India to the summit of the points table, reinforcing their status as favorites in the World Cup. The win confirms their ODI record against Pakistan remains an unbeatable run, while also showcasing the depth of Indian women’s cricket. As the competition progresses, teams will look to replicate India’s balance of aggressive bowling and patient batting, a formula that has yielded consistent results for Harmanpreet Kaur’s side.
Looking Ahead
India will approach their next assignments with confidence, knowing their bowling unit can choke opposition runs and their batting lineup can adapt to different pitch conditions. For Pakistan, the lessons lie in tightening fielding, sustaining partnerships, and converting starts into meaningful scores. The rivalry between India and Pakistan remains one of the sport’s most compelling narratives, and this World Cup encounter added another high-quality chapter to the ongoing series.
