Women’s World Cup 2022: India off to strong start with dominant 108-run win over Pakistan

Rajeshwari Gayakwad led the way with a four-wicket haul as India started the 2022 Women’s World Cup with a 108-run thrashing of arch-rivals Pakistan. Batting first, India scored 244/7 after which Pakistan were skittled out for just 137 runs. Gayakwad recorded figures of 4/31 in her spell while veteran fast bowler Jhulan Goswami took two wickets.

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Pakistan could only score 28 runs in the first 10 overs and it was Gayakwad who took the first wicket, dismissing opener Javeria Khan in the 11th over. Pakistan were unable to get any momentum going in their innings and lost four wickets between the 18th and 24th overs, finding themselves tottering at 70/5.

They eventually went down to their last wicket for 114 runs after which Anam Amin and Diana Baig kept the Indians waiting for just under six overs. Meghna Singh ended the match by dismissing Diana. 

India have now played 11 matches against Pakistan in the Women’s World Cup and won all the games. 

Earlier, Smriti Mandhana, Sneh Rana and Pooja Vastrakar scored half-centuries to help India post 244 for seven.

Opting to bat, India were under pressure after opener Shafali Verma was dismissed for a duck.

A 92-run stand between Mandhana (52 off 75) and Deepti Sharma (40) helped steady the ship. Mandhana brought up her fifty in the 22nd over of the innings but the partnership came to an end in the very same over as Nashra Sandhu bowled Deepti (40). 

Soon after, Anam Amin sent Mandhana (52) back to the pavilion while Nida Dar dismissed Harmanpreet Kaur (5) and Richa Ghosh (1) and hence, India was left in a spot of bother at 112/5 in the 31st over.

India were then left reeling 114/6 with Rana and Vastrakar at the crease. Both batters completely changed the complexion of the game as the duo scored briskly. Vastrakar and Rana formed a 122-run stand for the seventh wicket. In the final five overs, India scored more runs to take the total past the 240-run mark.

India next face hosts New Zealand on Thursday in Hamilton.