Women’s T20 World Cup 2024: India Beat Pakistan by 6 Wickets to Resurrect Campaign

Dubai: India secured their maiden victory in the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 by defeating Pakistan by six wickets at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday. Harmanpreet Kaur-led women bounced back from their heavy 58-run defeat against New Zealand in their opening match.

Pakistan struggled after opting to bat first, managing only 105/8. Renuka Singh Thakur gave India a perfect start, dismissing Gull Feroza for a duck. Deepti Sharma and Arundhati Reddy followed up with key wickets, removing Sidra Amin and Omaima Sohail, who both failed to reach double digits. Pakistan’s highest contributor, Nida Dar, scored 28 off 34 balls, but her dismissal by Reddy further hindered their momentum. Shreyanka Patil and Reddy were India’s standout bowlers, with figures of 2/12 and 3/19, respectively.

India’s chase wasn’t without challenges. Smriti Mandhana fell early for 7, while Shafali Verma and Jemimah Rodrigues added 43 runs for the second wicket. Shafali scored a quick 27 before being dismissed, and Jemimah’s 23-run contribution ended with Pakistan’s Fatima Sana picking up two wickets in one over, including Richa Ghosh for a golden duck.

With the match getting tense, Harmanpreet Kaur (29) and Deepti Sharma steadied the innings. Despite Harmanpreet retiring hurt, Sajeevan Sajana sealed the win with a boundary, taking India past the target with seven balls to spare.

India’s net run rate improved to -1.22, though still behind Australia and New Zealand. They will next face Sri Lanka on October 9 in Dubai.