Compared to the women’s cricket opener between India and Australia, the number of fans flocked to the 25,000-capacity stadium
Compared to the women’s cricket opener between India and Australia, the number of fans flocked to the 25,000-capacity stadium
India unleashed their desired ‘killing attitude’ under pressure as they boosted their chances of making the semi-finals by defeating arch-rivals Pakistan by eight wickets at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham on July 31, 2022.
Pakistan’s decision to bat first backfired as Indian bowlers struck a choke to bundle out the batsmen for just 99 runs in 18 overs after the start of play was delayed due to rain.
Spinners Sneh Rana and Radha Yadav took two wickets each.
The chase was clinical too, with Smriti Mandhana (63 not out from 42 balls), arguably the most attractive batsman in women’s cricket, showing the extent of her strokes on the way to a scintillating unbeaten half-century. The result was that India achieved the target in just 11.4 overs.
India have shown an attitude that they have been trying to play for the past few months and it will certainly please skipper Harmanpreet Kaur.
Mandhana’s special effort included three sixes, including a half-century from spinner Tuba Hasan. In the third over, fast bowler Diana Baig’s simple scaffolding over cover was also of the highest quality.
This was the second time this year that the Indo-Pak contest failed to produce a close game with a comfortable win against their opponents even in the 50-over World Cup in New Zealand.
However, the much-awaited fixture of the Commonwealth Games remained in Edgbaston with a large number of fans campaigning outside the field.
Intermittent rain meant that the start of the match was delayed by 45 minutes and the game was reduced to 18 overs.
In comparison to the women’s cricket opener between India and Australia, crowds of fans flocked to the 25,000-capacity stadium, although it was not completely sold out.
The city is home to a large Indian and Pakistan diaspora, but formerly had a large presence in stands with Indian flags visible from all parts of the field.
Dance numbers by Punjabi star Diljit Dosanjh added to the atmosphere and it seemed that the game was taking place in Mohali and not Birmingham.
Normally, one has to pay a fortune for an Indo-Pak cricket game, but a Sunday morning game provided a much cheaper alternative.
“I paid £20 for the ticket. I didn’t even get it for £200 for the men’s game. I feel lucky to be here,” said Rajeev Chauhan, a resident of Coventry.
The Indian fans definitely got their money’s worth in the first half of the game.
Renuka Singh, who had a dream spell in the loss against Australia, started off as a rare girl in the T20 format.
Three balls later, Pakistan were scoring a run with no runs on the board as pacer Meghna Singh propelled an outside edge off opener Iram Javed’s bat with a ball that was in shape.
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur added an extra all-rounder to the playing XI, bringing in Sneh Rana at the expense of spinner Rajeshwari Gaikwad. Batsman S Meghna, who joined the team here late after recovering from Kovid, has been included in place of Harleen Deol.
Rana made an immediate impact by dismissing Muneeba Ali (32) and Pakistan captain Bismah Maroof (17).
Muniba played some bold strokes in his 30-ball effort, which included a six off Meghna. Maroof is killed while trying to sweep, while Muniba is beaten up by the flight and offers to hold Rana back.
Renuka made 64 for four in the 12th over by dismissing Ayesha Nadeem.
Even India’s opener Shafali Verma waved her hand and took the wicket of a swift return catch.
Pakistan tried, but could not break free from the shackles and ended up with a total.