After Smriti Mandhana’s superb half-century, the unmatched Deepti Sharma strangled an out-of-sync Pakistan with a five-wicket haul for a 64-run victory to start their Women’s T20 World Cup campaign in Birmingham on Sunday.
India achieved a formidable score of 170/6 riding on Richa Ghosh’s powerful 34 off 17 balls and Mandhana’s elegant 44-ball-68.
Pakistan’s batting collapsed for a pitiful 106 in 17 overs, with the exception of Muneeba Ali’s 35-ball-41.
Deepti was in her element with the ball after contributing to an invaluable 45-run partnership with Ghosh. She took a career-best 5 for 10 in 4 overs, while left-arm spinner Shree Charani took 3 for 21.India also benefited from Shafali Verma’s joyful ability to take wickets.
Deepti became the highest wicket-taker in Women’s T20 Internationals history while registering a five-wicket haul.
India benefited by bowling second in the third game, which took place on the same Edgbaston track, since there was some turn available and the odd ball gripped, preventing the batters from hitting across the line. On this pitch, Deepti was completely unplayable. Deepti also made the most significant contribution during Indian fielding, ending left-handed keeper-batter Muneeba’s spectacular innings with a direct throw.
Earlier, Ghosh’s cameo and Mandhana’s majestic performance helped India reach a winning score, demonstrating the epitome of grace in batting. Tasmia Rubab, a left-arm seamer, went for 23 runs in the penultimate over, which may ultimately prove to be decisive, but Ghosh (34 off 17 balls) delivered the closing flourish.
Mandhana’s grace was on full show as she skillfully used timing to caress the ball to the boundary. Class was evident in the six-off left-arm seamer Rubab. Mandhana reached her half-century off just 34 balls and her inside out boundaries were a work of art as she danced down the pitch off Rameen Shamim, an off-break bowler. There were two sixes and nine boundaries in her knock.
However, Shamim eventually had Mandhana after skipper Fatima Sana skillfully timed her slide after Shamim’s misdirected stroke.
After India was under pressure at 18/2 due to cheap dismissals by Shafali Verma (6) and Jemimah Rodrigues (1), Mandhana’s seasoned captain Harmanpreet Kaur (36 off 35 balls) joined her as they accumulated 91 runs for the third wicket.
The Powerplay ended at 30/2, so the captain and her deputy were cautious, but they didn’t pass up the chance to hit the boundaries. India scored 70 runs in the following seven overs, and Mandhana was given a few reprieves when Pakistan’s butterfingered fielders missed regulation chances.
The left-hander’s misplaced lofted shot was dropped off Rubab’s bowling when the fielder positioned at mid-off failed to latch on to the ball while racing backwards.
The fielder at wide long-on boundary watched it go for a six as it slipped between her palms, and the other was a huge shot. The unfortunate bowler was left-arm spinner Sadia Iqbal (2/41), who, along with captain Fatima Sana (2/33), was undoubtedly one of their best players on the day.
Mandhana’s footwork was visually stunning, but Kaur used the depth of the crease to muscle many deliveries. The Indian captain made good use of both the traditional and slog sweep.
India had a slump after Mandhana was dismissed because Kaur’s flip off Sana was caught by Natalia Pervaiz, who was positioned at the square leg boundary, and Bharti Fulmali (0) was instantly stumped while attempting a nasty hoick.
