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Prior to the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 match against Pakistan, India’s net run rate (NRR) was -2.90. To turn that into a positive and climb up the points table, they needed to win, and win badly, against Pakistan. But just one of those goals was accomplished by India on a steamy afternoon in Dubai; they defeated Pakistan by six wickets to secure two points and begin the innings with a plodding chase.
Pakistani captain Fatima Sana talked on the eve of the match about hitting hard at their opponents by employing the power game. After Pakistan decided to bat, the openers attempted to demonstrate their words with their feet. Gull Feroza lost the opening over despite her attempt to use her foot to block Renuka Singh’s swing. In addition, Muneeba Ali utilised the crease so frequently that the runs hardly make sense. Like she did twice against Renuka inside the powerplay, she used the smallest amount of width to cross the in-field.
During the game’s fourth over, Reddy was sent on to take on more seam-bowling responsibilities due to Vastrakar’s absence due to a niggle. She immediately created a fake stroke, which Sidra Amin chipped in the middle of the shot. Reddy struck the ideal blow in her subsequent over, forcing Muneeba to scoop one straight to a short fine leg, only for S Asha to bale out. However, Reddy struck after a few balls when Omaima Sohail misplayed one to mid-off.
Muneeba was restrained for a few of calm overs, and Patil took advantage of the opportunity to get among the wickets. She delivered a broader outside off, anticipating a charge from the Pakistan opener. Muneeba went by it, and Richa Ghosh completed the task. Dar struggled a little to keep the scorecard running on her own, and her frequent partner losses did not make it any easier.
Before Patil removed Tuba Hassan for a three-ball duck, Reddy initially trapped Aliya Riaz in front. The DRS did not come to the Pakistan all-rounder’s help as Hawk-Eye indicated it to be clipping leg. Sana shown some intent and hit two consecutive fours off Asha, but Ghosh made an excellent catch to end the innings. She attempted to force the legspinner out of the ground, but Ghosh dove to her right and removed a stunning blow with one hand. After after, Reddy bowled Dar to get her third.
India needed to surpass the 106-run goal in 11.2 overs in order to get their NRR in the black. But India saw a boundaryless power struggle, with Smriti Mandhana and Shafali finding it difficult to contain their emotions. Mandhana struck some clean blows, however she was dismissed after hitting nine out of ten balls to the pitch. She gave one timid backward point chip in an attempt to get loose.
Sana bowled 13 of the first 15 overs with spin. Shafali was irritated by their slow play, which caused her to miss putting several of the complete throws away. In the eighth over, Shafali welcomed Tuba with a pull through midwicket, ending India’s run of boundary drought. She struck a few more times before holing out.
Jemimah Rodrigues, who was batting at No. 3 ahead of Harmanpreet, continued to manoeuvre the pitch, bringing India one run closer. Boundaries were difficult to come by, though, and when India lost her and Ghosh in consecutive balls, it appeared as though Pakistan might do the unimaginable. With Deepti Sharma by her side, Harmanpreet then came dangerously close to seeing India. But turning awkwardly to avoid being stumped, she wrenched her neck and walked back, hurt. Then, in the women’s T20Is, Sajana struck the game-winning four to help India keep the lead against Pakistan.