Women’s World Cup: India celebrate a wicket vs Pakistan.© AFP
India produced an all-round effort to cruise to a 107-run win against Pakistan and begin their ICC Women’s World Cup campaign on a positive note on Sunday. Half-centuries by Pooja Vastrakar (67), Smriti Mandhana (52) and Sneh Rana (53 not out) helped India post a tricky 244 for seven after the team opted to bat. The Indian bowlers, led by left-arm spinner Rajeshwari Gayakwad (4/31), then dismissed Pakistan for 137 in 43 overs. Earlier, India were under pressure after opener Shafali Verma was dismissed for a duck.
A 92-run stand between Mandhana (52 off 75) and Deepti Sharma (40) helped steady the ship while Rana (53 not out) and Vastrakar’s (67) 122-run partnership took India to a respectable total.
Brief scores: India: 244 for 7 in 50 overs (Pooja Vastrakar 67, Sneh Rana 53 not out; Nashra Sandhu 2/36, Nida Dar 2/45) Pakistan: 137 all out in 43 overs (Sidra Ameen 30, Daina Baig 24; Rajeshwari Gayakwad 4/31)
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