India notched up an easy seven-wicket win over Pakistan for their second victory in two games in the World Women's T20 at Providence in Guyana on Sunday. Needing to make a modest 134 after restricting Pakistan to 133/7, India rode on a measured 56 by veteran Mithali Raj and her 73-run opening stand with Smriti Mandhana (26) to reach the target in 19 overs.
Mithali was her assured self and hit seven fours in her knock. Mandhana was also looking good before she was caught by Umaima Sohail in the deep off Maroof, yet another instance of her getting out after getting set. Indian bowlers pinned Pakistan down for most part of their innings before allowing them to wriggle out for 133 for 7. Opting to field after winning the toss, India made a great start with the ball, reducing Pakistan to 30 for 3 in the seventh over. But Pakistan made a fine recovery thanks to half-centuries from Bismah Maroof (53) and Nida Dar (52) as the duo stitched 93 runs for the fourth wicket.
India also dropped at least three easy catches, which allowed Pakistan to make a comeback in the Group B match. Opening bowler Arundhati Reddy gave India an early breakthrough by having Ayesha Zafar caught at the slips by Veda Krishnamurthy for nought in the first over. Pakistan could have been in a worse situation had Mandhana not dropped captain Javeria Khan in the third over. But two runouts in the space of three overs gave India the upper hand.
