Superb Mithali Raj leads India effortlessly past Pakistan

– Maroof, Dar half-centuries in vain

By Brandon Corlette

The calm and composed Mithali Raj, usually referred to as the female version of Indian superstar batsman Virat Kholi, led India to a seven-wicket victory over arch-rivals Pakistan when the Asian giants clashed in the fifth match of the stand-alone Women’s World T20 tournament, played at the National Stadium at Providence, East Bank Demerara, Guyana on Sunday, November 11.
In process, Guyana witnessed more scintillating women’s cricket, with the Indian bowlers restricting Pakistan from scoring through disciplined bowling and sharp, all-round performance in the field; and Pakistan batters forging ahead with a dogged determination to score at least five runs per over.
Proceedings began with Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur winning the toss and opting to field. India were off to a perfect start, as pacer Arundhati Reddy started off proceedings with a wicket maiden, removing Ayesha Zafar with the sixth ball of the match.
With spin being more effective on the Providence wicket, left-arm orthodox bowler Radha Yadav was introduced as disciplined Indian bowling continued from both ends. Omaima Sohail lost her wicket via the run-out method, teenager Rodrigues effecting the run-out with a direct hit.
The Pakistan batters managed to score at 5 runs per over in the power play overs (six overs mandatory) even though the Indian bowlers were disciplined. Team India, sharp in the field, caused another Pakistan wicket to fall via the run-out method when Pakistan captain Javeria Khan (17) lost her wicket with the score on 30-3 in the seventh over.
Pakistan middle order batters Bismah Maroof and Nida Dar then switched to stabilising mode as the pair milked the Indian bowlers easily, adding 93 for the fourth wicket partnership, and steering their team to a respectable target.
Maroof was the first to be dismissed — in the 19th over, when the score was 123-4. She had made a well-composed 53 from 49 balls, including 4 timely boundaries. Hemalatha, bowling the 19th over, picked up her second wicket when she removed the destructive Nida Dar for an attractive 52, made off 35 balls, with 5 classy fours and the only two maximums in the Pakistan innings.
Poonam Yadav completed the innings with a beautiful last over, conceding only five runs for two wickets, as Pakistan had mustered 133-7 when their 20 overs had expired.
Hemalatha has continued her consistent bowling, claiming two more wickets to her tally in this tournament; and Poonam Yadav snared 2-22 in four overs to complete a disciplined bowling performance.
India’s chase began with new opening batter Mithali Raj and Smriti Mandhana facing Baig, and with the 35-year-old Raj effortlessly dispatching the ball to the square-leg boundary.
The spin trend continued as Pakistan introduced Anam Amin, but Mandhana greeted her with two trademark boundaries. The Indian opening duo continued their level-headed batting, and added 73 runs for the opening wicket, Mandhana falling in the 10th over.
Maroof continued to have a good game, claiming the dangerous Mandhana for a well-composed 26, inclusive of four boundaries. Raj continued to bat with minimal pressure, and added 28 for the second wicket partnership with teenage sensation Jemimah Rodrigues.
In the 15th over, the brilliant Nida Dar pulled off a good caught-and-bowled effort to remove Rodrigues. However, the game was by then in India’s pockets with the score on 101-2.
Mithali Raj brought up her half-century in the 16th over when she chipped down the track. This was also her 16th half-century. Harmapreet Kaur entered the fray and ensured her team won the match without further hiccups, although Raj fell for a match winning 56 from 47 balls in the 18th over. Raj’s innings included seven fours. Veda Krishnamurthy finished off in style with a four, as India completed their second victory.