India claimed an emphatic 88-run victory over Pakistan in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 at Colombo’s R. Premadasa Stadium on Sunday, after Pakistan faltered with the bat in a disappointing chase.
Chasing 248 for victory, Pakistan got off to a shaky start when opener Muneeba Ali was controversially run out for just two in the fourth over. The dismissal unsettled the batting order as Sadaf Shamas and Aliya Riaz departed cheaply, leaving Pakistan struggling at 26-3 inside 11 overs.
A brief 69-run partnership between Sidra Amin and Natalia Parvaiz offered some stability, but Parvaiz’s dismissal triggered another collapse.
Pakistan’s middle order failed to capitalize, with skipper Fatima Sana scoring just two and Sidra Nawaz adding 14 before falling. Rameen Shamim was dismissed for a first-ball duck, deepening the crisis.
Sidra Amin was the lone fighter, crafting a defiant 81 off 106 balls, her 13th ODI fifty and first against India. However, her dismissal to Sneh Rana effectively ended Pakistan’s resistance.
The lower order crumbled, and Pakistan were bowled out for 159 in 43 overs. Deepti Sharma and Kranti Goud shared three wickets each, while Rana claimed two.
Earlier, India posted 247-9 after electing to bat first. Smriti Mandhana (23) and Pratika Rawal (31) provided a solid start before Pakistan’s bowlers struck back. Harleen Deol anchored the innings with a composed 46, supported by Jemimah Rodrigues (32) in the middle overs.
India’s lower order proved decisive, as Deepti Sharma (25) and Sneh Rana (20) added crucial runs. The highlight came from Richa Ghosh, who smashed an unbeaten 39 off just 20 deliveries, propelling India past 240.
Pakistan’s bowlers, led by Diana Baig and Fatima Sana, showed fight but were let down by the batting unit. India’s victory keeps their campaign on track, while Pakistan faces questions over consistency and depth in pressure situations.
