Match recap: India defeat Pakistan by 88 runs in Colombo
In a high-voltage showdown at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, India extended their dominance over arch-rivals Pakistan by 88 runs in their second Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 clash. Put in to bat, India posted 247 all out, befitting a team capable of turning games with a mix of compact batting, measured aggression, and efficient middle-overs spellbinding bowling. Pakistan, chasing a target that looked within reach at several junctures, were dismissed for 159 in 43 overs, sealing India’s 12th consecutive win against Pakistan in ODI cricket.
Key moments and standout performances
India’s top-scorer Harleen Deol provided a steadier hand with 46 off 65 balls, anchoring the innings after a shaky start that saw openers Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal back in the pavilion early. The middle order, including a late-flourish contribution from Richa Ghosh, helped India cross the 230-mark, and her explosive 20-ball 35 at the end gave the innings a much-needed acceleration. The late fireworks, marked by three fours and two sixes, shifted momentum in the team’s favor as the innings closed at 247 all out.
Pakistan’s bowling unit, led by Diana Baig with figures of 4/69, kept the Indian batters honest in overcast conditions. The Pakistani bowlers exploited the early swing and cramped Indian batsmen through the powerplay but found little sustained rhythm to derail the innings after 31-33 overs.
In reply, Kranti Goud produced an incisive spell of 3/20 in ten overs, stifling Pakistan’s scoring even as Sidra Amin’s 81 off 106 balls offered resistance at the top of the order. Natalia Pervaiz chipped in with 33, but the rest of the lineup failed to back the stand-out century-hopeful, leaving the innings in a precarious position from which Pakistan could not recover. Captain Fatima Sana managed just two off 15, a reminder of how the Indian bowling unit, including Deepti Sharma (3/45 in nine overs) and Sneh Rana (2/38 in eight overs), combined to break partnerships at crucial moments.
Impact on the tournament and standings
With this win, India topped the Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 table, collecting four points from two matches. They had started their campaign by beating Sri Lanka in the tournament opener and now sit at the summit, showcasing their depth across both bat and ball and their ability to close out matches under pressure. The result adds another layer to the India-Pakistan rivalry, reinforcing India’s consistent upper hand in one-day internationals between the two sides.
Domestic conditions and team plans
The Colombo pitch offered overcast conditions that aided seam movement, a factor Pakistan exploited early by keeping India to 67/2 by the 15th over. India’s openers Aarti (Smriti Mandhana) and Pratika Rawal were perceived to be in good touch but fell early, prompting Harmanpreet Kaur to throw in essential middle-order stability. Harleen Deol’s counterpunching innings provided the much-needed ballast, and Ghosh’s late cameo ensured that India posted a defendable total. The fielding side, meanwhile, clamped down on singles and kept pressure on Pakistan’s run-rate through the middle overs, forcing errors that India capitalized on with regular wickets.
Looking ahead: India’s next assignment
India now travel to Visakhapatnam for their next fixture against South Africa, a match that will test their consistency against a diverse batting lineup. With a two-win start and a healthy net run rate, India will look to continue their momentum and cement their position as strong contenders for the World Cup title. For Pakistan, the line-up will seek to rebound quickly, focusing on building partnerships and leveraging the power-hitting capabilities of their top order to rebound in subsequent fixtures.
Bottom line
India’s 88-run victory over Pakistan at Colombo underscores the team’s depth, adaptability, and winning mindset in the 2025 Women’s World Cup. The win not only extends their unbeaten streak against Pakistan in ODI cricket but also reaffirms their status as one of the tournament favorites, capable of turning pressure into victory through smart captaincy, strategic bowling, and clutch batting performances.
