PAK vs IND: India beat Pakistan by six wickets in ICC Women’s T20 World Cup

India secured a comfortable six-wicket victory over Pakistan in ICC Women's T20 World Cup clash at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

Pakistan, led by captain Fatima Sana, batted first after winning the toss but struggled to build momentum. They managed to score 105 runs for the loss of eight wickets in 20 overs. The Indian team, chasing a target of 106, reached the total with ease, thanks to captain Harmanpreet Kaur's composed innings.

Pakistan’s innings had a rocky start when opener Gull Feroza was bowled out for a duck in the very first over. Muneeba Ali tried to stabilize the innings but was dismissed after scoring 17 off 26 balls. Sidra Amin added eight runs, while Omaima Sohail managed just three. The Women in Green found themselves struggling at 41/3 by the ninth over.

Aliya Riaz and Fatima Sana both tried to revive the innings, but Sana was dismissed after a quick 13 off 8 balls, leaving Pakistan at 70/6. Nida Dar played a crucial knock of 28 off 34 balls, helping her team bat through the full 20 overs. However, Pakistan could only post a total of 105/8, a target they hoped their skilled bowlers could defend.

In reply, India’s openers Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana started cautiously, scoring 18 in the first 4.1 overs. Mandhana was dismissed by Sadia Iqbal for 6, bringing Jemimah Rodrigues to the crease. Verma anchored India’s chase with 32 off 35 balls, including three boundaries, before she was caught off Omaima Sohail’s bowling.

Rodrigues added 23 runs, but Pakistan captain Fatima Sana struck back by taking her wicket and that of Richa Ghosh in quick succession. At 80/4, India needed 19 runs from 24 balls. Despite the pressure, Kaur remained calm, scoring 29 off 24 deliveries to guide her team to victory. Though she retired hurt before the end, Sajana Sajeevan sealed the win with a boundary.

India chased down the target in 18 overs, finishing at 106/4. Pakistan’s bowlers put up a strong fight, but the modest total wasn’t enough to challenge India’s batters.

Pakistan Playing XI:
Fatima Sana (c), Aliya Riaz, Gull Feroza, Muneeba Ali, Nashra Sundhu, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, Syeda Aroob Shah, and Tuba Hassan.

India Playing XI:
Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana (vc), Shafali Verma, Deepti Sharma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (WK), Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Singh, Asha Sobhana, Shreyanka Patil, and Sajana Sajeevan.