Edgbaston, July 31 (Agency) Making mockery of arch rivals Pakistan, opener Smriti Mandhana cracked a classy unbeaten 63 off 42 balls to help India register their first win in the rain-hit Group A clash on Day 3 of 2022 Commonwealth Games here on Sunday. India defeated Pakistan by eight wickets. Pakistan were never in the contest, except when Muneeba Ali and Bisma Maroof put on 49 runs stand for second wicket. After that, it was India all the way. Mandhana’s blitzkrieg made India’s chase easy as they won the match with 38 balls to spare. This huge win gave India a huge push in the net run rate, which could work in their favour at the end of the league round.
Pakistan are almost eliminated. Only some mathematics can come to their rescue. Earlier, India had skittled Pakistan for 99 runs after the rival captain Bismah Maroof won the toss and opted to bat first. Sneh Rana (2/15) pushed Pakistan to the corner after striking twice in an over, while Radha Yadav picked up two wickets for 18 runs, further denting the rival’s innings. Other Indian bowlers Renuka Singh, Meghna Singh and Shafali Verma also chipped in with a wicket each. For Pakistan, Muneeba Ali was the highest scorer with a 32-run knock off 32 balls. The match was reduced to 18 overs a side due to rain. Brief Scores: Pakistan women 99 all out in 18 overs (Muneeba Ali 32; Sneh Rana 2/15) India women 102 for 2 in 11.4 overs (Smriti Mandhana 63; Tuba Hassan 1/18).