Pace bowler Goud and the spinner Deepti Sharma took three scalps apiece as India routed their opponents by 88 runs in their Women’s World Cup encounter, which began similar to recent fixtures between the countries men’s teams with no handshake from the skippers and then featured a controversial run-out of a Pakistani opening batter.
India’s captain, Kaur, did not shake hands with Sana during the toss and the squads departed without greeting each other after the contest amidst political tensions between the two south Asian neighbours.
Skippers at the men’s Asia Cup in the United Arab Emirates similarly avoided handshakes at games between the two rivals. India has accused Pakistan of having involvement in attacks on tourists that killed dozens.
India lost the toss, they were all out for 247 in their allotted overs. Their openers, Pratika Rawal and star player Smriti Mandhana, shared 48 runs for the opening stand before Sana had Mandhana leg before wicket for a 23 off 32. She made 31 before she was bowled by spinner Sadia Iqbal. Kaur scored 19 runs before she was caught behind off Diana Baig.
Deol top-scored for India with 46 and Richa Ghosh made a quick-fire 35 not out to lift their team to a competitive total.
Jemimah Rodrigues (32), Sharma (25) and Rana (20) all made useful runs, while Baig took four for 69 for the opposition and Iqbal and Sana had two wickets each. The match was halted for 15 minutes because insects were bothering the cricketers.
Pakistan were bowled out for 159 runs in 43 overs. The only half-century of the game in Colombo came from Sidra Amin, who made 81 runs.
Pakistan’s first wicket was taken in a confusing manner when the opening batter Ali was given out run out. Ali had placed her bat after getting back, having stepped out to attempt a stroke. Her bat was then lifted momentarily when an throw hit the stumps. The captain protested to the fourth umpire that the player was not attempting a run but the decision stood.
Amin’s innings of 106 balls included a six and nine boundaries. Goud took three wickets for 20 runs and Sharma returned 3/45.
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