India Women crush Pakistan by 88 runs at Colombo World Cup match

India Women crush Pakistan by 88 runs at Colombo World Cup match

When India Women thumped Pakistan Women by 88 runs on the ICC Women's World Cup 2025Colombo, the cricketing rivalry felt fresh again at the R.Premadasa Stadium. Captained by Harmanpreet Kaur, India posted a chase‑worthy 247, while Fatima Sana led Pakistan into a daunting chase that ended at 159. The win not only preserved India’s flawless ODI record against their neighbours but also handed them two valuable points in the group stage.

Match Overview

The toss, won by Pakistan, saw Fatima Sana elect to field first, hoping the morning moisture at R.Premadasa would aid her bowlers. India’s innings unfolded in steady increments. Harleen Deol topped the scorecard with a gritty 46 off 65 balls, while Jemimah Rodrigues added 32 from 37. The real spark came from wicket‑keeper Richa Ghosh, who slammed an unbeaten 35 in just 20 deliveries, propelling India past the 240‑run mark with six balls to spare.

Key Performances

India’s batting wasn’t a parade of centuries, but the collective effort was enough. Smriti Mandhana endured another lean outing, contributing just 12 runs, but the depth of the line‑up compensated. The lower order, especially Ghosh, supplied the required acceleration, turning a modest total into a competitive one.

On the Pakistani side, the lone beacon was Sidra Amin. Her 81 off 106 balls anchored the chase, and a 69‑run partnership with Natalia Pervaiz gave Pakistan a glimmer of hope. When Pervaiz was dismissed at 130/3, pressure mounted, and Amin was left to labour alone against a probing Indian attack.

Bowling & Fielding Highlights

Pakistan’s spearhead, Diana Baig, claimed four wickets, dismantling the middle order with disciplined swing. Yet her heroics weren’t enough; India’s seamers, led by Kranti Goud, kept the run‑rate in check and shared three wickets among them.

Fielding was a mixed bag. A dropped catch by Ghosh in the sixth over allowed Amin to survive early trouble, and a mis‑field in the 30th over gifted an extra run that widened the chase. Still, India’s bowling unit remained relentless, finishing with figures of 9/159.

Implications for the Tournament

With the win, India Women sit comfortably atop Group B, boasting six points from three games. Pakistan, on the other hand, languishes with zero points, their only bright spot being Amin’s fighting knock. The result also nudges India closer to securing a direct quarter‑final berth, while Pakistan now faces must‑win scenarios against Bangladesh and New Zealand.

Cricket analyst Anjali Sharma noted, “India’s depth is evident. Even without a big century, they can post defendable totals thanks to players like Ghosh and Deol. Pakistan needs more than a single star performance to compete.”

Historical Context of the India‑Pakistan Rivalry

The rivalry stretches back decades, but in the Women’s ODI arena it’s even more one‑sided. Since their first encounter in 1997, India has won every match, amassing an unbeaten streak of 15 games. The latest 88‑run margin is among the largest in the series, underscoring the widening gap.

Earlier in the tournament, Pakistan suffered a comprehensive defeat to Bangladesh, failing to score beyond 150. That loss exposed vulnerabilities in both batting depth and death‑over bowling – issues that resurfaced in today’s match despite Baig’s four‑wicket haul.

Looking Ahead

India’s next challenge arrives against South Africa on October 9, a game many pundits label the ‘group decider’. All eyes will be on whether the squad maintains its current blend of experience and youthful exuberance, especially with pace spearhead Renuka Singh Thakur still on the bench.

Pakistan, meanwhile, must regroup quickly. Coach Moeen Ali (the former England all‑rounder now leading the side) is expected to tweak the top order, perhaps promoting Nida Dar up the batting lineup to add stability.