Women's World Cup 2022: India crush Pakistan after Pooja Vastrakar, Sneh Rana rescue act, off to winning start
India Today
Women's World Cup 2022: Riding on heroic batting efforts from Pooja Vastrakar and Sneh Rana and a superlative spin bowling show from Rajeshwari Gayakwad, India hammered Pakistan in their opening match and extended their perfect record over their neighbours.
India overcame an ordinary middle-order performance to get off to a winning start in their Women's World Cup 2022 campaign, hammering Pakistan by 107 runs in their opening match of the tournament at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui on Sunday.
India might not be entirely impressed with their batting show in the World Cup opener but their much-criticised bowling attack stepped up and made light work of Pakistan's batting unit. Chasing a par total of 245, Bismah Maroof's women never got going and were eventually bundled out for 137 in 43 overs, handing India a massive win and a big boost of Net Run Rate in the opening game.
India vs Pakistan, Women's World Cup 2022: Highlights
India had headed into their World Cup opener with a 10-0 record in ODIs and Mithali Raj's side extended it as they continued their dominance over their neighbours in the 50-over format of the game. Barring opener Sidra Ameen (30), none of the other Pakistan batters were able to go past the 20-run mark in a disappointing show.
Rajeshwari Gayakwad was the star of the show for India with the ball as the left-arm spinner proved to be a big headache for the Pakistan battles on Sunday.
She gave India the first breakthrough by getting Javeria Khan (11) after Pakistan got off to a slow start. Bismah's side did not lose a wicket in the first 10 overs but there was no intent as India kept it tight.
Gayakwad ran through the middle-order as well, dismissing Aliya Riaz (11), Fatima Sana (17) and Sidra Nawaz (13).
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