Sports Bulletin

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD:-Indian medium-pacer Jhulan Goswami became the most successful bowler in ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup history as she dismissed Anisa Mohammed for her 40th wicket at the tournament. Almost exactly 17 years ago Goswami took her first World Cup wicket, dismissing Inoka Galagedara of Sri Lanka on 22 March 2005. Since then, she has dismissed 40 different batters, never getting the same batter out twice at a World Cup, with Mohammed her seventh West Indian victim. Goswami surpassed Australian Lyn Fullston who held the previous record since 1988, her 39 wickets coming at an average of 11.94. That first wicket back in 2005 may have been the only scalp she took in her debut World Cup match, but it was the first and only time she would ended with an economy lower than one. Goswami produced figures of eight overs, three maidens, five runs and one wicket, and she was just getting started, taking 13 wickets in the tournament in South Africa, her highest at a single World Cup. The 2009 World Cup was less fruitful, taking just four wickets but her best performance came against hosts Australia in the third-place play off, dismissing opener Leah Poulton and tailender Rene Farrell for figures of two for 21 as India won by three wickets. After taking nine wickets on home soil in 2013, Goswami was back in the double figures in 2017 as India lost out to England by nine runs in the final. The 39-year-old took three for 23, one of two times where she has taken three wickets in an innings to move to 10 for the tournament. Her highest wicket haul came in 2005 as she produced figures of four for 16 against the West Indies only four days after delivering four for 27 against England. Goswami has lined up eight ducks across her 40 dismissals with 14 wickets bowled, including the first. Mohammed’s dismissal takes Goswami to 14 dismissals caught by fielders while seven have been caught by the wicket-keeper with five coming leg before wicket. Fortunately for India, usually if Goswami is taking wickets, they will win the game with 27 of her previous 39 wickets coming in wins, 11 in losses and 1 in a no-result, that very first wicket.

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD:-Mandhana and Kaur’s 184-run partnership saw India set the West Indies an ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup record chase of 318 in ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022 at Seddon Park, Hamilton. Deandra Dottin looked set to steer West Indies all the way, guiding her side to 100 in 12 overs, only for her dismissal to start an unrecoverable collapse. Jhulan Goswami dismissed Anisa Mohammed to become the leading wicket-taker in World Cups with her 40th scalp as India sealed victory. India won the toss and chose to bat, meaning previously unbeaten West Indies would have to chase for the first time in the World Cup. Yastika Bhatia made a fast start to the innings taking Chinelle Henry for three fours off the second over before dynamic fielding from Dottin saved more boundaries. Shamilia Connell would also be taken round the ground before Shakera Selman came in and got the first wicket, catching Bhatia off her own bowling for 31 from 21. Mithali Raj, captaining in a World Cup record 24th game, came out to join Mandhana but could only make five from 11 before being caught by Connell to leave India on 62 for two at the end of the powerplay. Deepti Sharma was the next batter to make a start before being dismissed, but she could be forgiven as Hayley Matthews took a stunning, stretching catch at slip as she departed for 15. Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur were unfazed, the former’s half-century brought up from 66 balls to earn her 22nd fifty in ODI cricket. The duo brought up their hundred partnership off a Selman no-ball, a fourth 100-run fourth-wicket partnership for India in World Cups, with Kaur part of three of them. The next delivery would bring another milestone as Kaur’s 50 came from 61 balls, her first back-to-back ODI half-centuries since the last World Cup in 2017. Mandhana was put down by Aaliyah Alleyne on 94 before bringing up her hundred from 108 balls with a four as the 150 partnership was also reached. She would have to go for 123 from 119 balls as Selman held on to a catch in the deep as Connell picked up her first wicket in her final over. Kaur would bring up a century at a third successive World Cup before sending a tame outside edge to Shemaine Campbelle behind the stumps, India slipping to 313 for seven after Pooja Vastrakar and Richa Ghosh were dismissed cheaply. India ended on 317 for eight, their first-ever 300-plus total in World Cup cricket, with Dottin clearly in pain bowling the final over. The West Indies came out undaunted despite Dottin’s clear discomfort, crashing 50 in the first five overs. With the hundred raised just seven overs later, but after Dottin had taken treatment on the field, her innings came to an end, making 62 of just 46 balls with 10 fours and a six. Kycia Knight and Stafanie Taylor fell cheaply to leave the Maroon Warriors on 112 for three, with opener Matthews dismissed for 43 from 36 balls, her disappointed reaction telling you everything you need to know, their chance had gone. Campbelle and Henry would soon follow as the life was suffocated out of what had been a rip-roaring chase by the West Indies. Chedean Nation had helped steady the West Indies against England but chasing a record total was an altogether different prospect. With Nation looking for quick runs, Alleyne had to go run out chasing a second thanks to sharp throwing from Rajeshwari Gayakwad who formed a potent spin partnership with Sneh Rana. Mohammed then played a patient game taking fourteen balls to get off nought as the Windies delayed the inevitable. She then became Goswami’s 40th victim at a World Cup as she was caught going for a mistimed heave before the West Indies were bowled out for 162 as Rana took the winning catch off her own bowling. Scores in brief India beat West Indies at Seddon Park, Hamilton by 155 runs India 317/8 in 50.0 overs (Smriti Mandhana 123, Harmanpreet Kaur 109; Anisa Mohammed 2/59; Aaliyah Alleyne 1/26) West Indies 162 all out in 40.3 overs (Deandra Dottin 62, Hayley Matthews 43; Sneh Rana 3/22, Meghna Singh 2/27) Player of the Match: Smriti Mandhana (India)

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD:-South Africa sealed a dramatic six-run win to deny Pakistan a first ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup win in 17 games. South Africa’s slow start was rescued by Laura Wolvaardt, whose 75 runs was her highest score in a World Cup, but the Proteas could still only set Pakistan a below-par 224 to win. Pakistan built healthy partnerships but fell way behind the run rate thanks to disciplined bowling and they fell agonisingly short despite all-rounder Nida Dar’s fine 55. Lizelle Lee’s return to the South Africa side lasted only seven balls before she was expertly caught behind by Sidra Nawaz. Sidra would take another fine diving catch as Tazmin Brits was dismissed for two runs to leave South Africa on 21 for two, her move down the order not paying off. Her former opening partner Wolvaardt made steady progress to her eighth 40-plus score in nine World Cup innings. It wasn’t all plain sailing for Wolvaardt and South Africa however, the Proteas reaching just 65 for two in the first 20 overs before back-to-back boundaries off Ghulam Fatima saw the 22-year-old move to 56 from 76 balls. Ghulam would get her revenge as Wolvaardt had to go, caught and bowled for 75 off 91 balls as Ghulam earned a wicket on her return to the ODI side after five years in the wilderness. Mignon du Preez would fall for a duck in the same over as Omaima Sohail pulled out another diving catch to add to Pakistan’s highlight reel. Marizanne Kapp could only hold her head in her hands as she sent the ball straight to Sidra Ameen as Ghulam took another and South Africa slipped to 120 for five. Having survived two reviews for lbw earlier in the innings, Sune Luss showed restraint as she and her vice-captain Chloe Tryon added 55 for the sixth wicket before Tryon departed softly for 31 as she was caught and bowled by Nashra Sundhu. It was third time lucky for Pakistan as Luus was finally dismissed lbw but not before scoring 62 from 102 balls. It was then Fatima Sana’s turn to take two in an over, dismissing Shabnim Ismail and Trisha Chetty as South Africa ended on 223 for nine. Ismail then returned the favour in the fourth over of the reply as she reduced Pakistan to 26 for two in a double-wicket maiden, dismissing Sidra Ameen and Bismah Maroof back-to-back, both sending edges to fielders. Omaima joined Nahida Khan at the crease and her first act was to miss the hat-trick ball attempting a cut shot. She and Nahida put together a valuable 50 partnership, the first for the pair in ODIs, coming off 81 balls, before Nahida would go for 40 off 71 as Ayabonga Khaka picked up her fifth wicket of the tournament, ending the 69-run partnership. Nida Dar joined Omaima, who continued her fine run-scoring, bringing up her 50 from 83 balls with a quick single off Ismail. Pakistan then went 44 balls without a boundary before a brave chip down the ground for four from Omaima reminded South Africa that Pakistan were still in the chase. Nida and Omaima then piled on more pressure sending Masabata Klaas for 11 runs only for Klaas to dismiss Omaima for 65 off the very next ball, with Lee taking her 50th catch in ODIs. The dangerous Aliya Riaz did not trouble the scorers, dismissed for her first duck in two years to leave Pakistan needing 79 runs from 70 balls with five wickets remaining. Fatima played an entertaining knock of nine from eight balls before being dismissed lbw by Khaka and Sidra would soon follow. After countless run-out chances, South Africa pulled off two to decide the match, first Khaka dismissing the anchor Nida Dar for 55 before the final wicket of Ghulam earned South Africa a six-run win with Ismail’s fine death bowling crucial again. Scores in brief South Africa beat Pakistan at Bay Oval, Tauranga by six runs South Africa 223/9 in 50.0 overs (Laura Wolvaardt 75, Sune Luus 62; Fatima Sana 3/43, Ghulam Fatima 3/52) Pakistan 217 all out in 49.5 overs (Omaima Sohail 65, Nida Dar 55; Shabnim Ismail 3/41, Ayabonga Khaka 2/43, Marizanne Kapp 2/43) Player of the Match: Shabnim Ismail (South Africa)

Sports Bulletin Report HAMILTON:-Amy Satterthwaite hit a fluent 75 and New Zealand’s bowlers suffocated India as the hosts secured a 62–run win to keep the race for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022 semi-finals wide open. The White Ferns batted first and Satterthwaite’s knock off 84 balls and 50 from Amelia Kerr helped them to 260 for nine. New Zealand then bowled 162 dot balls as Lea Tahuhu – three for 17 from 10 overs – starred under the lights, as India were dismissed for 198 A brisk 71 from 63 balls by Harmanpreet Kaur could only delay the inevitable: a first win for New Zealand against India at an ICC women’s world event since the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2010. India elected to field and made a strong start as Pooja Vastrakar ran out Suzie Bates for just five. Kerr was then dropped on nine by a diving Yastika Bhatia as the White Ferns ended the powerplay on 51 for one. Sophie Devine was out in the next over, Vastrakar finding the skipper’s edge and sending her back to the pavilion for 35. Kerr and Satterthwaite then built a healthy 67-run partnership before Kerr fell LBW while attempting a sweep off Gayakwad to leave New Zealand on 121 for three. Satterthwaite brought up her 27th ODI half-century off 60 balls but lost her partner Maddy Green one ball later as Smriti Mandhana held a fine catch at mid-on. Katey Martin joined Satterthwaite and the experienced heads helped to put a sizeable total on the board, as they reached the final 10 overs at 211 for four. Vastrakar dropped Martin on 24 but made amends by taking two wickets in two balls, first bowling Tahuhu for one and then removing Satterthwaite for 75 to leave New Zealand on 240 for eight with 3.3 overs to go. Frankie Mackay successfully negotiated the hat-trick ball before Jhulan Goswami became the joint-highest wicket-taker in ICC Women World Cup history when she removed Martin for 41. Goswami finished with figures of one for 41 and her 39th World Cup dismissal moved her level with Australia’s Lyn Fullston. India made a slow start in reply, as Jess Kerr dismissed Mandhana for just six, while they finished the powerplay on 26 for two. New Zealand stifled India’s batters and chipped in with regular wickets, as Tahuhu removed Bhatia for 28 and Raj was stumped off Kerr for 31. Kerr then bowled Richa Ghosh for a first-ball duck to bring up a hat-trick chance, but Sneh Rana survived and went on to contribute 18. Kaur carried India’s innings and scored 20 off one Hannah Rowe over to leave India needing 90 from 42 balls. However, she fell to Kerr shortly after and then New Zealand took the remaining wickets to dismiss India for 198. Scores in brief New Zealand beat India at Seddon Park, Hamilton by 62 runs New Zealand 260/9 in 50 overs (Amy Satterthwaite 75, Amelia Kerr 50; Pooja Vastrakar 4/34; Rajeshwari Gayakwad 2/46) India 198 all out in 46.4 overs (Harmanpreet Kaur 71, Mithali Raj 31; Lea Tahuhu 3/17, Amelia Kerr 3/56) Player of the Match: Amy Satterthwaite (New Zealand).

Sports Bulletin Report TAURANGA:-Australia earned a straightforward seven-wicket win over Pakistan in Tauranga despite a 99-run stand between Bismah Maroof and Aliya Riaz Bay Oval on Tuesday in Tauranga, New Zealand. Bismah top-scored with 78 not out for her first fifty since returning from maternity leave but it was not enough as a disciplined bowling display and an Alyssa Healy half-century earned Australia their second consecutive win at the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022. Pakistan were put into bat for the first time this tournament and were soon two wickets down as Megan Schutt and Ellyse Perry dispatched the openers in back-to-back deliveries. Schutt forced Nahida Khan into an edge as Beth Mooney took the catch with Sidra Amin going the very next ball, captain Meg Lanning this time pouching the edge from a Pakistani bat. Captain Bismah and Omaima Sohail were then forced to rebuild, and the skipper led from the front, getting off the mark with a perfectly timed flick. Pakistan had slipped to 38 for three when Nida Dar strode out to the middle and faced Jess Jonassen in her first over with only two fielders outside the ring as Australia looked to force Pakistan into a wild shot. Nida went for five giving Amanda-Jade Wellington her first international wicket since 2018 and Bismah was once again welcoming a new partner to the crease. Pakistan made it to the halfway point without losing another wicket but it was slow going, their 50 partnership did not arrive for another six overs, coming off 107 deliveries. Bismah’s fifty was brought up off 96 balls with five fours and her celebration paid tribute to her baby daughter Fatima who was watching on with her grandmother on the balcony. Four balls later and the partnership reached 86, the highest for Pakistan at a World Cup with Riaz’s own fifty following not long after, her first at a World Cup. She would not add to her 53 as she was given out leg before wicket off the bowling of Nicola Carey, ending the partnership on 99, the joint-highest fifth-wicket partnership for Pakistan in ODIs. Fatima Sana would be the last wicket to fall for Pakistan as King got the promising all-rounder caught behind to leave Pakistan on 177 for six. Bismah and Diana Baig finished with a late flourish to set Australia a chase of 191 to win, Bismah ending on 78 not out, the second-highest individual score for Pakistan at a World Cup. Australia were in no way daunted by the chase as Healy and Haynes set about it with intent, finding gaps regularly. Haynes would fall just as she was getting going, departing for a run-a-ball 34 as Australia’s opening stand produced 60 runs. Healy’s fifty came off 55 balls, no need for her to go fast or aerial, and it felt like she and Lanning were in cruise control. Australia then experienced some turbulence as Lanning’s bails were knocked off by a Sohail delivery, meaning she had to go for 25 from 37, her bat frustratingly tucked under her arm on the way off. The job didn’t get any easier for Pakistan though, as Perry arrived at the crease and Healy’s free-scoring continued. Only a well-held catch in the deep from Nashra Sundhu could stop the wicket-keeper as she was forced to depart for 72 from 79. Australia were still well on track at 153 for three and Perry, 26 from 33, and Beth Mooney, 23 from 26, were unbeaten in the middle as they chased down 191 with 15.2 overs to spare for back-to-back victories to start their World Cup campaign. Scores in brief Australia beat Pakistan at Bay Oval, Tauranga by seven wickets Pakistan 190/6 in 50.0 overs (Bismah Maroof 78 not out, Aliya Riaz 53; Alana King 2/24, Amanda-Jade Wellington 1/25) Australia 193/3 in 34.4 overs (Alyssa Healey 72, Meg Lanning 35; Omaima Sohail 2/39, Nashra Sundhu 1/30) Player of the Match: Alyssa Healy (Australia).

Sports Bulletin Report Mount Manganui:-Pakistan vice-captain and all-rounder Nida Dar is hopeful that despite a defeat by 107 runs to India in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022 opener at Mount Manganui, her side would make a comeback in the tournament. Pakistan had an impressive start with the ball yesterday as they had India reeling at 114 for six after Mithali Raj decided to bat first, but brilliant half-centuries from Pooja Vastrakar and Sneh Rana brought India back into the game and eventually set their win. The pair added 122 runs from 97 balls down the order. “We got a good start with the ball, but did not finish the innings well,” Nida told PCB digital after the match. “That’s an area where we need to work on.” Nida, who returned two for 45 in 10 overs, believes that pitches in New Zealand are batting friendly and allow batters to score at quicker rates. “The wickets here are flat and are batting friendly. They help the batters in scoring quick runs. We should have chased 245 here, considering the experience of our batters and our run in the warm-ups.” Pakistan play Australia on Tuesday at the same venue. For Nida, the key going into that match is to “learn from the mistakes and focus on the next match”. Australia are a strong side and it is important for us to make a strong comeback in the tournament,” she said. “You do experience tough challenges at a stage like World Cup, but it also gives you an opportunity to stage comebacks.”

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD:-The Event Technical Committee of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022 has approved Heather Graham as a replacement for Ashleigh Gardner in the Australia squad. Graham, who has played a solitary ODI for Australia against Sri Lanka in Brisbane in October 2019, is a temporary replacement for Gardner, who has tested positive for COVID-19 and is undergoing a period of isolation. A COVID replacement can be temporary, in that once the player has recovered, she would be eligible to return to the squad in position of the travelling reserve that replaced her. The replacement of a player requires the approval of the Event Technical Committee before the replacement player can be officially added to the squad. The Event Technical Committee of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022 comprises Chris Tetley, ICC Head of Events (Chair), Adrian Griffith, ICC Senior Manager Umpires and Referees (ICC Representative), Andrea Nelson, LOC CEO (Host Representative), Catherine Campbell (Host Representative), Sana Mir (Independent), Nasser Hussain (Independent).  

Sports Bulletin Report DUNEDIN:-Suzie Bates blasted 79 not out on her home ground of Dunedin as New Zealand earned a nine-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022. Bates also passed 1,000 World Cup runs in a 108-run partnership with Amelia Kerr as the White Ferns chased down 141 in a rain-reduced match on the South Island. Bangladesh reached 140 for eight from 27 overs after a long delay, but New Zealand were always on top of the chase, knocking off the runs in exactly 20 overs to earn their first win of the home World Cup. Bangladesh were put in to bowl by New Zealand after a rain delay that lasted four hours but made a bright start. Lea Tahuhu and Jess Kerr were not able to find their lengths as anything short was dispatched for a boundary by openers Shamima Sultana and Fargana Hoque Pinky. With the five-over power play complete, Bangladesh looked to be racing to a competitive total on 41 for no loss. Amelia Kerr then came into the attack to try and show her older sister how it was done, going for four from her first over as Bangladesh brought up their fifty. Prior to making their competition debut in New Zealand, Bangladesh had made just two opening stands of over 50 in their previous 41 ODIs and had not produced one in 28 games. But Shamima contributed 30 from 28 with Pinky on 15 from 14 to bring up their second 50-plus opening stand in their first World Cup campaign. However, the partnership would end on 59 as Frankie Mackay got the breakthrough on her first World Cup appearance since 2013. Shamima was forced to go for 33 from 36 balls as a sliding Tahuhu took the catch at deep backward square. That brought captain Nigar Sultana out to the middle and she hit the first boundary since the sixth over off the third delivery of the 13th. But she would not last much longer as Amy Satterthwaite came on for her first over and had her caught behind by Dunedin native Katey Martin after Sultana slashed at a wide one. New Zealand’s start was a little more sedate even as the rain began to fall again, Sophie Devine facing the first over from Alam with Bates at the other end having walked out on her home ground. Bates was able to have a giggle with Alam as the seamer pulled out of her run-up when she had already begun inching down the track ready for a big heave. With the powerplay over, the White Ferns were behind Bangladesh at the same stage on 29-0 and then lost Devine as she rocked back and missed a swing at a Khatun delivery and was bowled for 16. Out came Amelia Kerr and her and Bates steadied the run chase with the fifty-partnership coming up just after the halfway mark after a no ball. A slow over was not what New Zealand wanted as the rain set in with 20 overs needed for a result to count, but then Bates started motoring. Her fifty came up in the next over, a 12th ODI half-century brought up in 51 balls, and a first chance to raise the bat in a New Zealand jersey at her home ground. She was still playing with fire and should have been gone on 58 but keeper Sultana couldn’t hold on to the wet ball to take the bails off with Bates way out of her ground. With the first ball of the 19th over, Bates reached a remarkable milestone as her 75 runs took her past 1000 runs in Women’s Cricket World Cups, becoming only the second White Fern to do so after Debbie Hockley. With New Zealand moving to 135 for one, it was only a matter of time before the win was sealed. And it was Amelia Kerr who got them there, striking the ball for four to end on 47 not out, with Bates down the other end on an unbeaten 79 having shared a magnificent 108-partnership to earn New Zealand a first win at their home World Cup after losing a close match to the West Indies. Scores in brief New Zealand beat Bangladesh at University Oval, Dunedin by nine wickets Bangladesh 140/8 in 27.0 overs (Fargana Hoque Pinky 52, Shamima Sultana 33; Amy Satterthwaite 3/25, Hayley Jensen 1/18) New Zealand 145/1 in 20.0 overs (Suzie Bates 79 not out, Amelia Kerr 47 not out; Salma Khatun 1/34, Lata Mondol 0/9) Player of the Match: Suzie Bates (New Zealand).

BIPIN DANI The Indian women's team won its first ICC World Cup match against Pakistan on Sunday. However, according to a renowned astrologer who is known for his cricket predictions, Mithali Raj will not be able to bring the trophy. Mithali Raj the veteran Indian captain has been given the task to lead India to victory in her last hurrah. Greenstone Lobo predicted 1 in 2017 on the eve of the final between England and India, that India will falter in the final hurdle. And it did happen and England won the World Cup. So, what is going against India this time? According to Lobo, there are two reasons. "The first reason is that Mithali isn’t the right person to be leading the team right now. Her birth chart was good enough to make her a legendary batter, but it cannot help her win the coveted trophy. You need more positive planetary arrangements, which is lacking in Mitali’s chart". "The second important reason is that Indian coach Ramesh Powar doesn't have a horoscope good enough to become the greatest coach ever for the Indian women’s cricket team. If Powar leads India to victory, he would have done something which no other coach has done before and the weak horoscope of Powar doesn’t guarantee that ''. So, Is there any other captain in India who could have done that? "Yes, '' says Lobo -"Harmanpreet Kaur. If Harmanpreet was the captain with the erstwhile WV Raman as the coach, then that magic would have been possible. Alas, it seems that wasn’t destined to be". So, which country would win the marquee event then? Well, the answer isn’t surprising. "It is going to be Australia. Meg Lanning has probably the best horoscope amongst all women players in the current era and will go on to be a great. She has already won a couple of Twenty20 world cups and is a fabulous batter too. She will assert her greatness by Captaining Australia to win the crowning glory of Cricket – the World Cup", signs off Lobo.

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD:-India recorded an impressive 107-run victory over arch-rivals Pakistan despite an off-colour performance from their batters, thanks to a record seventh-wicket partnership between all-rounders Pooja Vastrakar and Sneh Rana at the Bay Oval in Tauranga on Sunday. India were struggling at 114 for six at one stage and seemed to be under pressure when Vastrakar and Rana blasted their highest ODI scores to lift India to a competitive 244 for seven much to the delight of their fans who shouted in support and encouragement. In reply, Pakistan never got going as they slipped to 98 for seven, wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh taking a record five dismissals on World Cup debut as India earned their first win in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022. India won the toss and chose to bat with the Bay Oval bathed in glorious sunshine, but there was a storm brewing in the middle as Shafali Verma was dismissed for a duck. Diana Baig cleaned up her leg stump as Verma’s issues in the one-day format continued on to the World Cup stage. Fellow opener Smriti Mandhana would provide the release, scoring the first boundary with the 25th ball of the innings. Mandhana was timing the ball beautifully but boundaries still proved hard to come by, a pre-meditated strike down the ground in the final over of the power play landed so forcefully it plugged short of the boundary. She didn’t let that stop her as two balls later the ball sailed over the boundary to bring up India’s first six and end the powerplay with India 33 for one. Pakistan’s fielding had been accurate with singles cut off and boundary hopes reeled in, but at the 20 over mark the field settings grew more and more defensive. Mandhana’s fifty would soon come bringing it up off 71 balls to register her 25th score over fifty, but a first against Pakistan. There would be little time to celebrate as Deepti Sharma was bowled by Nashra Sundhu with the very next ball. A collapse was beginning as Mandhana fell for 52 as Anam Amin produced a stunning caught and bowled to leave two new batters at the crease. Those batters were still to be feared even if they were on nought, Harmanpreet Kaur now joined by Mithali Raj as she embarked on a record sixth World Cup campaign. Kaur would not threaten though as she was given out lbw for five from 14 as Nida Dar became the fourth bowler to take a wicket and India slipped to 108 for four. The young star Richa Ghosh could not succeed where her elders had failed as she went for a five-ball duck with Dar picking up her second as Ghosh chopped onto her wickets. Pakistan were on top as Fatima Sana earned a maiden over before Sundhu got her second as Raj was forced to go, walking off as slowly as she has scored, her nine coming from 36 balls. It felt like India’s tail was set to wag quickly with the Women in Blue on 114 for six but Pooja Vastrakaer joined Sneh Rana with other ideas. With 34.4 overs gone, Vastrakar showed her intent by scoring the first boundary since the second delivery of the 17th over. The duo brought up their fifty partnership off 43 balls and they hadn’t even got properly going as overs 40 to 42 went for 10 or more runs. The fact that Sundhu then bowled an over that only conceded six felt like a success to show how far Pakistan had let the game slip. Both batters brought up their highest ODI scores before Vastrakar had to go for 67 from 59 balls ending a World Cup record seventh-wicket partnership of 122. Jhulan Goswami would end the innings with a four to bring India to 244 for seven, which seemed unlikely 16 overs before. Goswami would then open the bowling in her fifth World Cup as Pakistan made a slow start, making just 26 from the first 10 overs. The fact they had not lost a wicket was a silver lining that soon disappeared as Javeria Khan was caught by Goswami off the bowling of Gayakwad. Out came captain Bismah Maroof, but she could make only 15 from 24 balls as she was caught behind with Pakistan slipping to 53 for two. After her heroics with the bat, Rana then dismissed Omaima Sohail with her second ball before Goswami got her first to dismiss anchor Sidra Amin for 30 from 64 balls. Doing so brought out Aliya Riaz who ended both warm-up games not out with scores over 40, but not this time. Riaz would make 11 from 23 balls before being stumped by Ghosh, her fourth involvement of the innings to make amends for her batting performance. Sana was next to fall as Pakistan lost their seventh wicket for just 98 runs, no matching Rana and Vastrakar. Another small partnership was made for Pakistan as Baig joined Sidra Nawaz in the middle before Gayakwad got her fourth of the afternoon, an Indian spinner again doing the business. While Gayakwad had to wait another over to attempt her five-fer, Ghosh picked up hers as she caught Sundhu for a duck becoming the first wicket-keeper to take five dismissals on World Cup debut. With Gayakwad getting the chance to bowl her final over, each delivery was met by chants and cheers that had boomed round the ground all afternoon. Baig played with no fear taking six runs off her to deny her a five-fer but she still earned figures of four for 31. A seventh-wicket partnership had not materialised but it looked as though a tenth-wicket one was forming as Baig and Anam Amin frustrated India’s push for victory. Kaur would take the final catch as Baig had to go for an entertaining 24 from 35 balls as India got their World Cup campaign up and running with Pakistan all out for 137. Scores in brief India beat Pakistan at Bay Oval, Tauranga by 107 runs India 244/7 in 50.0 overs (Pooja Vastrakar 67, Sneh Rana 53 not out; Nashra Sandhu 2/36, Nida Dar 2/45) Pakistan 137 in 43.0 overs (Sidra Ameen 30, Diana Baig 24; Rajeshwari Gayakwad 4/31, Jhulan Goswami 2/26) Player of the Match: Pooja Vastrakar