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Batter Sidra Amin's historic innings, the highest-ever score by a Pakistani batter against India in women's ODIs, went in vain as a strong show by Women in Blue's spinners, particularly Deepti Sharma kept their winning streak against the arch-rivals alive with a 88-run during their ICC Women's World Cup clash at Colombo on Sunday.
With this, India women's team maintains a perfect 5-0 record against Pakistan in women's World Cup. Also, in women's ODI, India's streak has now went upto 12-0. While Pakistan restricted India to 247, bundling out their rivals for the first time ever in ODIs thanks to a historic spell by Diana Baig (4/69), Sidra Amin (81 in 106 balls, with nine fours and a six) barely got support from her batters as Pakistan was bundled out for 159 all out in 43 overs. Kranti Goud (3/20) and Deepti Sharma (3/45) were the pick of the bowlers for India. During the run-chase of 248 runs, Pakistan was restricted to 26/3 in 12 overs by an initial burst from Goud. A partnership of 69 runs for the fourth-wicket took place between Sidra and Natalia Pervaiz (33 in 46 balls, with four boundaries). But another strike from Goud sent Pakistan back to their downward spiral. While Sidra had another decent 41-run stand for the sixth wicket with Sidra Nawaz (14), it was just not enough as Deepti joined the party to eat up wickets of middle-order and lower-order batters. Sneh Rana (2/38) was also sensational and total of five wickets went to Indian spinners and three to pacers. India is now table-topper with two wins and two losses, with six points, while Pakistan is at sixth, having lost both games. Both teams did not shake hands after conclusion of the game. Earlier, Baig (4/69) in 10 overs, registered the best-ever World Cup figures by a Pakistan pacer as they managed to get India all out for 247 runs in 50 overs. This was India's highest score in women's ODI without an individual 50-plus score, outdoing their 227 against New Zealand at Ahmedabad last year. India played a total of 173 dot balls in their innings, the highest in the tournament so far and second-most for India in 34 ODIs since January 2023, next to 181 vs NZ-W during their 183 all-out in Ahmedabad last year. There was a 48-run stand for the first wicket between Pratika Rawal (31 in 37 balls, with five fours) and Smriti Mandhana (23 in 32 balls, with four boundaries) after Pakistan won the toss and elected to bowl first. Harleen Deol (46 in 65 balls, with four boundaries and a six), Jemimah Rodrigues (32 in 37 balls, with five fours), Deepti Sharma (25 in 33 balls, with a four) and Sneh Rana (20 in 33 balls, with two fours) did start well, but could not convert it into something substantial, leaving India at 203/7 in 45.3 overs. However, a quickfire 20-ball 35 from Richa Ghosh (with three fours and two sixes) pushed India to 247/10 in 50 overs. Besides Diana (4/69), Sadia Iqbal (2/47) and skipper Fatima Sana (2/38) were also among the wickets. Brief Scores: India: 247 (Harleen Deol 46, Richa Ghosh 35, Diana Baig 4/69) beat Pakistan: 159 in 43 overs (Sidra Amin 81, Natalia Pervaiz 33, Kranti Goud 3/20). (ANI)
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