Pakistan women came into the game desperate for a win. But the way it panned out, it was the host, India, that crumbled under pressure, capitulating to a two-run defeat (D/L) in a low-scoring Group B encounter at the Ferozeshah Kotla stadium here on Saturday.
Chasing 97, Pakistan was down to 77 for six and needed 20 runs in the last four overs with four wickets in hand when covers were brought in. With just a half-hour window for the teams to get back on field, the likelihood of the match resuming was next to none and with the Duckworth-Lewis par score being 75, Pakistan only had to wait for an official confirmation of the result, which duly came.
The margin of defeat would hurt the Indians given their sloppy fielding which conceded at least 10 extra runs and missed a stumping chance. The Pakistanis were also more positive and aggressive both with the bat and the ball. Nahida Bibi made her intentions clear with two consecutive fours in the first over off Anuja Patil – more than India had managed in the entire Powerplay (7/2 in six overs).
The top three -- Nahida, Sidra Amin and Bismah Maroof -- together scored more than half the runs in 10 overs before India recovered. Two run-outs in the 16th over gave India hope but that was the only time it looked to have a chance before rains intervened. The Indian bowlers too lacked discipline, allowing Pakistan to get away.
Earlier, even as reports of a downpour at Kolkata ahead of the men's face-off reached here, the Pakistan women had taken control of the game from the word go. Electing to bowl on a pitch that was no landmine, Pakistan kept the pressure on with accurate bowling and impeccable fielding. No catches were spilled, there were no misfields to concede extra runs and balls pitched in line for the most part.
Almost 7000 people had come prepared to cheer the host but there were little the Indians did right. At 27 for the loss of two wickets at the end of 10 overs, India hardly looked comfortable. Relying mainly on spin, Pakistan captain Sana Mir led from the front. Asmavia Iqbal was the only pacer in the side.
The first boundary for India came in the eighth over when Mithali Raj struck Sadia Yousuf through extra cover. The only one who made any impact was Veda Krishnamurthy with a 19-ball 24 before giving Sana a return catch in the 17th over. But there were no partnerships and every time India looked to accelerate, it lost a wicket.
Brief Scores:-
India: 96/7 (Veda Krishnamurthy 24, Anam Amin 1/9 in 4 overs)
Pakistan: 77/6 in 16 overs (D/L Par score 75)(Sidra Ameen 26).
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