In a one-sided contest played between arch rivals India Women and Pakistan Women, Smriti Mandhana powered the Indian side to a massive 8-wicket win by hammering 63 not out in the Group A clash of the ongoing Commonwealth Games 2022 in Birmingham on Sunday.
The Indian team was absolutely belligerent on Sunday as they bowled Pakistan out for just 99 in 18 overs with spinners Sneh Rana and Radha Yadav taking 2 wickets each while the others in Shafali Verma, Meghana and Renuka Singh taking 1 wicket apiece.
In their reply, India, who were coming off a disappointing defeat at the hands of Australia in their first match, were powered by a brilliant 63 not out from their star batter Smriti Mandhana.
The left-handed batter Smriti Mandhana showed no mercy on the Pakistani bowlers as she clobbered three sixes and eight boundaries to make 63 not out from just 42 balls to score the most runs for head side in the paltry chase.
The contest completely belonged to the Indian side who did not allow Pakistani batters to settle down on the pitch with Muneeba Ali from the opposition camp making a respectable 32 from 30 balls with the help of 3 boundaries and 1 six.
Among the others, Pakistan captain Bismah Maroof scored 17, Omaima Sohail made 10 and Ayesha Naseem also recorded a similar score. Alliya Riaz has contributed with 18 from 22 balls with a couple of boundaries late in the Pakistani innings whereas detail and matters failed to trouble the Indian bowlers altogether.
Sneh Rana was instrumental in putting India in command of the contest early on in the match as she dismissed Muneeba Ali and Bismah Maroof in an impressive spell in which her figures read 4-0-15-2. On the other end, Radha Yadav was equally impressive, returning with 3-0-18-2.
In their reply, India began on an emphatic note with Smriti Mandhana taken charge of the scoring right from the beginning. The star left-handed batter made full use of the conditions and showed her array of strokes in all parts of the ground to produce a splendid knock which will instil a lot of confidence and belief in her side.
For the Indian side, Shafali Verma scored a nine ball 60 with two fours and a six whereas Sabbhineni Meghna made 14 from 16 balls with a couple of hits to the fence.
In their next assignment, the Indian team will take on the debutant Barbados Women on August 3 whereas Pakistan will have to bring out their ‘A’ game against the rampant Australia Women side in their match on the same day.