Pakistan’s Early Dominance Fades in T20 World Cup Loss to India

Abeera Marium Siddiqui
October 9, 2024
11:11 am
15

Pakistan's clash with India in the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 promised to be a nail-biter. With both teams needing a win, the stakes were high. Pakistan had momentum from their previous victory, while India was looking to bounce back after a disappointing loss to New Zealand. On the day, Pakistan showed flashes of brilliance, but India’s experience and discipline turned the tide. Let’s break down how the match unfolded and why Pakistan’s early dominance faded as India sealed a six-wicket win.

Pakistan's Promising Start: Batting First

Pakistan won the toss and chose to bat, a decision that seemed to make sense given their solid top order. Muneeba Ali and Gull Feroza opened the innings with a lot of responsibility on their shoulders. However, the plan quickly began to unravel. Renuka Singh struck in the very first over, dismissing Gull Feroza for a duck. That early blow set Pakistan back, but they had a glimmer of hope as Muneeba Ali stuck around and tried to build some momentum.

Unfortunately, Pakistan struggled to get going. India’s bowlers were sharp and disciplined. Deepti Sharma took care of Sidra Amin, cleaning her up with a beauty, and Pakistan found themselves at 29/2 after six overs. Muneeba Ali seemed comfortable, but with wickets tumbling at the other end, she had no choice but to go for the big shots. That was her undoing. She fell for 17, stumped off the bowling of Shreyanka Patil.

At this point, Pakistan desperately needed someone to take charge. Nida Dar stepped up. Known for her aggressive style, she played some important shots to keep the scoreboard ticking. Her 28 from 34 deliveries was crucial in giving Pakistan a fighting chance. However, no one from the middle order could stay long enough to build a meaningful partnership with her. By the time Dar was dismissed, Pakistan was already in deep trouble. Fatima Sana chipped in with 13, and Syeda Aroob Shah added a quick 14 not out at the end, but the total of 105/8 wasn’t going to worry India.

India’s Bowling: Restricting Pakistan

India’s bowling was the standout of the day. Arundhati Reddy was the star, picking up three wickets for just 19 runs. She bowled with great precision, keeping the pressure on Pakistan throughout the innings. Every time Pakistan looked like they might accelerate, Reddy stepped in to pull things back.

Shreyanka Patil’s 2/12 also played a huge role in keeping Pakistan’s score in check. India’s bowlers did an excellent job of using the conditions in Dubai. The pitch offered just enough for them to trouble the batters, but it was their control that made the difference. They didn’t allow Pakistan to string together any meaningful partnerships, and that’s where Pakistan’s innings fell apart.

For Pakistan, it was a missed opportunity. They had moments where they could have taken the game to India, but India’s tight bowling kept them in check. The target of 106 was always going to be tough to defend, especially against a side as experienced as India.

India’s Chase: Steady Recovery After a Shaky Start

Chasing a modest target of 106, India didn’t have it all their way at first. Smriti Mandhana, one of India’s most dependable batters, fell early. She managed just 7 runs from 16 balls before being lured into a false shot by Sadia Iqbal. At that point, Pakistan seemed to have found a way back into the game. Their fielders were energized, and the pressure was mounting on India.

But that’s where Shafali Verma stepped up. Verma is known for her aggressive style, and she didn’t disappoint. Her 32 from 35 balls helped India settle into their chase. She built a crucial partnership with Jemimah Rodrigues, who was promoted to number three. Together, they put on 53 runs, effectively breaking the back of Pakistan’s defense.

Verma’s departure, however, gave Pakistan a glimmer of hope. She tried to accelerate the scoring after the drinks break but was caught, bringing an end to her steady innings. Jemimah Rodrigues, though, continued to keep India on course, playing a composed knock of 23 from 28 deliveries.

Harmanpreet Kaur and India’s Finishing Touch

Captain Harmanpreet Kaur joined Rodrigues in the middle and added her own valuable contribution. Her 29 from 24 balls was vital in taking India closer to victory, but it didn’t come without some drama. Kaur appeared to pick up an injury while trying to avoid a stumping and had to retire hurt just before India could seal the deal.

Pakistan, particularly their captain Fatima Sana, did their best to keep things interesting. Sana grabbed two wickets in two balls, removing Rodrigues and Richa Ghosh, but it was too little, too late. India reached the target with seven balls to spare, with new batter Sajana Sajeevan hitting the winning runs.

Key Turning Points in the Game

Several key moments defined the match. Pakistan’s early dismissals in the powerplay set the tone. Renuka Singh and Deepti Sharma didn’t allow Pakistan to settle, and by the time Nida Dar came in, Pakistan was already on the back foot.

For India, the partnership between Shafali Verma and Jemimah Rodrigues was the turning point. Pakistan had India under pressure after Mandhana’s dismissal, but Verma and Rodrigues soaked up the pressure and kept the scoreboard ticking.

Another crucial moment was Harmanpreet Kaur’s injury. Though she had to leave the field, her 29 runs had already taken India to the verge of victory. Pakistan’s late wickets only delayed the inevitable.

What’s Next for Pakistan?

Pakistan will need to regroup quickly. They had a bright start to their T20 World Cup campaign, beating Sri Lanka, but their defeat to India will sting. The main concern for Pakistan is their inability to build partnerships. Too often, they lose wickets at crucial moments, which makes it hard for them to post competitive totals. Their bowling has been consistent, but without a strong batting performance, it’s hard to win matches at this level.

Moving forward, Pakistan will need to focus on improving their middle-order batting. Nida Dar has been reliable, but she needs support from the rest of the lineup. If Pakistan can address these issues, they still have a chance to make an impact in the tournament.

India’s Win and Their Path Forward

For India, this win was exactly what they needed. After a heavy defeat to New Zealand, they showed resilience and bounced back. Their bowlers were exceptional, and the batting lineup, despite a few hiccups, got the job done.

This win keeps India alive in Group A, but they will need to improve their net run rate as they head into tougher matches against Sri Lanka and Australia. While they’ll take confidence from this victory, there are areas they can improve, especially in finishing games quickly.

Conclusion

Pakistan’s early dominance in this match faded as India took control with both the ball and bat. Despite moments of brilliance from Pakistan’s bowlers, India’s depth and experience proved too much. For India, this win puts them back in the race for the semi-finals, while Pakistan will need to reflect and regroup before their next challenge.

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