Providence: Former captain Mithali Raj struck an attacking 56 off 47 balls as India easily overhauled Pakistan’s 133 in their group match at the Women’s World Twenty20 here today. India’s second consecutive win takes them closer to the semifinals.
India were awarded 10 runs before their innings began as a penalty to Pakistan for their batswomen running in the danger area of the pitch.
Opening the batting today after being slotted at No. 8 in India’s previous match against New Zealand, Mithali started with a four in the first over of India’s innings and continued almost until the end. She finally fell in the 18th over when India needed only eight runs to win.
Player of the Match Mithali and Smriti Mandhana shared a first-wicket partnership of 73 in 9.3 overs before Smriti fell for 26 off 28 balls.
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur remained unbeaten on 14 off 13 balls as India completed their ninth T20I win over Pakistan, having lost twice.
Earlier, Bismah Maroof and Nida Dar struck half-centuries to steer Pakistan to 133/7. Sent in to bat by Harmanpreet, Pakistan were in trouble at 30/3 in 6.2 overs as two wickets had fallen to run-outs. However, Bismah and Nida added 93 for the fourth wicket in 11.5 overs, taking Pakistan towards a challenging total.
Bismah made 53 off 49 balls with five fours while Nida hit two sixers and five fours in her 52 off 35 balls. Pakistan lost four wickets in the last two overs as they went for their shots. Chandigarh girl Taniya Bhatia effected two stumpings in the last over, bowled by Poonam Yadav. Poonam Yadav and Dayalan Hemlatha finished with two wickets each.
