India beat Pakistan by 88 runs in Women’s Cricket World Cup

Colombo: India registered a commanding 88-run victory over arch-rivals Pakistan in their Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 encounter at the R. Premadasa Stadium on Sunday, continuing their dominance in the high-profile rivalry.

Put in to bat first after Pakistan captain Fatima Sana won the toss and opted to bowl, India posted a total of 247 runs from their allotted 50 overs. Harleen Deol top-scored with a composed 46 off 65 balls, while Richa Ghosh provided late fireworks with a brisk 35 that included two sixes and three boundaries. Openers Smriti Mandhana (23) and debutant Pratika Rawal (31) put up a steady 48-run opening stand before both fell in quick succession.

Harmanpreet Kaur’s dismissal for 19 further dented India’s progress, but middle-order contributions from Jemimah Rodrigues (32), Deepti Sharma (25), and Sneh Rana (20) ensured a competitive total. Diana Baig was the standout bowler for Pakistan, claiming 4 for 69, while Fatima Sana and Sadia Iqbal picked up two wickets each.

Pakistan’s chase faltered early and never recovered, collapsing to 159 all out. Opener Sidra Amin fought valiantly for a 106-ball 81, while Natalia Pervaiz (33) was the other significant contributor.

For India, Kranti Gaud delivered a match-defining spell, taking three crucial wickets and tightening India’s grip on the game. Deepti Sharma also picked up three wickets, as India’s disciplined bowling and sharp fielding dismantled the opposition’s batting order. None of Pakistan’s batters managed to convert starts into a substantial score, leaving India to seal a comprehensive win in the sixth match of the tournament.

The game was briefly interrupted for around 15 minutes when insects disrupted play under the floodlights.

Brief scores:

India Women: 247 all out in 50 overs (Pratika Rawal 31, Harleen Deol 46, Jemimah Rodrigues 32, Richa Ghosh 35 not out; Diana Baig 4/69, Fatima Sana 2/38).

Pakistan Women: 159 all out in 43 overs (Sidra Amin 81; Kranti Goud 3/20, Deepti Sharma 3/45, Shree Charani 2/38).

No-handshake episode

Away from the cricketing action, an awkward moment at the toss drew attention when neither captain extended a hand for the customary handshake. India’s Harmanpreet Kaur and Pakistan’s Fatima Sana exchanged words during the toss interviews but walked back without the usual greeting.

The gesture, or lack thereof, comes on the heels of similar incidents during the recently concluded men’s Asia Cup 2025, where teams from India and Pakistan avoided handshakes amid escalating political tensions.

India has recently accused Pakistan of involvement in attacks targeting tourists that claimed multiple lives, further straining sporting relations between the two nations.

Team changes and match details

Both teams made one change from their previous outings. For India, Renuka Singh Thakur came in for the unwell Amanjot Kaur, while Pakistan replaced Omaima Sohail with Sadaf Shamas.

India: Pratika Rawal, Smriti Mandhana, Harleen Deol, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (w), Sneh Rana, Kranti Gaud, Shree Charani, Renuka Singh Thakur.

Pakistan: Muneeba Ali, Sadaf Shamas, Sidra Amin, Rameen Shamim, Aliya Riaz, Sidra Nawaz (w), Fatima Sana (c), Natalia Pervaiz, Diana Baig, Nashra Sandhu, Sadia Iqbal.

(With inputs from PTI)