Statement win from India as they defeat arch-rivals Pakistan to kick off their #T20WorldCup campaign, in style. ๐
As it happened:
The toss goes India's way! ๐
HarmanpreetKaur opts to bat first as the Women in Blue gear up for cricket's greatest rivalry. ๐ฎ๐ณ๐
Pakistan to Chase: Record Target 171.
Muneeba drooped in second over off Shreyanka Patil by wicketkeeper. Very Good start by Pak openers 3 Ov : 25/0. Drooped again on 20 : 36/0.
Experienced Deepti Sharma gets it 38/1: 4.5 Ov. Excellent 5th Ov: Wicket n just 2 runs.
Record Power Play score for Pak : 52/1.
Excellent front diving catch at backward short leg by Smriti - Dipti strikes again : 53/2: 6.3 Ov.
Deepti 2 off just 5 off 2 overs.
Shree Charani strikes on 4th ball: 58/3: 7.4
Deepti Sharma reviews for lbw, batter survived on Umpire's call.
10 Ov : 72/3 : Need 99 more off 10 ov .
Direct throw by Deepti Sharma: 75/4 : 10.5 Ov, dangerous looking set Muneeba gone. Definitely turning point for the match.
India keeps striking , Pak captain gone sharply caught by Smriti bowled Shafali : 77/5 : 11.3 Overs.
Another brilliant catch: Shreyanka Patil, Shree Charani gets her 3rd..3/21 . It's all India now.
15 Ov : 92/7.
It's Deepti Sharma’s day now in this innings , gets 3rd and 4th and finishes with her fifth too - 3 wickets in the over : 5 for just 10 runs off 4 overs : What a player. Foxed with reduced pace.
Pakistan done and dusted : 106 in 17 overs.
India win by 64 runs.
Deepti Sharma is Player of the Match.
Is now highest T20 wicket taker.
India Batted first:
Not a very good start India would have liked 18/2 : 3.2 Ov: Shafali Varma n Jemimah back.
4th bowler in 5th over: 3rd from spinner.
Wicketkeeper standing close for pacers.
End of Power play: 6 Ov : 38/2 @ 6.33.
Smriti Mandhana 25* off 19,
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur 4 * off 6.
- most experienced match no.40 in ICC Tournaments for Kaur.
Smriti dropped on 27 at mid-off at 44/2.
Harmanpreet hits 2 boundaries in 9th Ov.
Smriti Mandhana's 1st Six dancing down over long off on 28 : 9.1 ov.
Another close runout chance for Smriti.
10 Ov : 65/2.
Smriti 36(28), Harmanpreet 20(27)
How much India can add in next 60 balls?
Partnership 51*off 45.
Smriti gets to 50 in style with 2 lofted shots over covers Celebrates with another. But gets bit stretched while missing next one. Gets bit treatment..continues..
12 Ov : 85/2 .
Smriti Mandhana's day..gets life on 55 at mid-wicket boundary and a six., 19 off 13th.
Both getting more and more aggressive.
13 Ov : 104/2 . Smriti 64*, Harmanpreet 30*.
But luck runs out for Smriti Mandhana finally caught at mid-on on 68 off 44 brilliant innings with 2 sixes: 109/3:13.5.
Another shock Fulmali stumped on 1: 110/4.
Richa Ghosh starts with 4 on 1st ball.
15 Ov: 117/4 : Harmanpreet 32 (29).
How much India can add in last 5 overs?
Just 5 off 16th Ov. Kaur kept quiet.
Big blow:Harmanpreet caught on mid-wicket boundary 36 off 35 : 123/5 : 16.2 Ov.
Pakistan bowlers pull it back.
Deepti Sharma joins Richa : 22 more balls.
Just 7 runs n wicket in 17th :129/5.
Dipti diving forward 2nd run.
Again just 3 runs from 18th Ov.
Boundaries dried , Pak excellent : 132/5.
Just 12 more balls can India cross 150?
Boundary after 22 deliveries - by Deepti, followed by Richa 4 6 4 4 .
Excellent over : 23 runs no 19: 155/5.
Richa Ghosh lives to her reputation of Great Hitter : 34 off 17 bowled on second last ball: 5 fours and 1 six..enough?
168/6 : 19.5 Ov.
Deepti Sharma 12 * off 9,Shreyanka Patil 1*off 1. 15 off the last over and wicket.
23+15 = 38 runs of last 2 overs.
India finish with 170/6 @ 8.5.
