Calcutta: Indian women thrashed arch-rivals Pakistan by seven wickets, in the ICC Women’s World Cup qualifier, in Colombo on Sunday. Ekta Bisht returned with amazing figures of 10-7-8-5 as India bowled out Pakistan for 67. Pakistan’s score was their 10th lowest in ODIs, having once being bowled out for 23 against Australia in 1997 in Melbourne.
However, despite the thrashing, Pakistan qualified for the upcoming Women’s World Cup to be played in England. India had already qualified.
India required just 22.3 overs to chase down the meagre target, with seven wickets in hand, and finished the Super Six stage as table toppers.
Before Bisht, it was Shikha Pandey, the new-ball bowler, who set the tone for Pakistan’s slide after Mithali Raj decided to bowl under overcast conditions.
Pandey removed the in-form Nahida Khan and Javeria Khan for single-digit scores. Pakistan were 30 for 2 after 10 overs when Bisht struck for the first time, off her very first ball, trapping Ayesha Zafar lbw for her 50th ODI scalp. Zafar had made 19.
Apart from Zafar, only Bismah Maroof got to double figures before Pakistan folded in the 44th over. Bisht had ample support. Pandey took two for nine from her seven overs, while spinners Harmanpreet Kaur, Deepti Sharma and Devika Vaidya picked up a wicket apiece.
India’s innings began in bright fashion, with a boundary off the very first ball, but they lost wickets to be at 23 for 2. But opening batsman Deepti Sharma steered the chase with a 42-run third-wicket stand with Harmanpreet Kaur. Kaur became Sadia Yousuf's second victim when she was caught by Zafar with just three needed. But Veda Krisnamurthy closed the game with a four off Nashra Sandhu.
Sri Lanka also secured their spot in the World Cup after a 42-run win via the Duckworth-Lewis method in their last Super Six tie against Bangladesh Women in a rain-affected tie in Colombo.
Summarised scores
Pakistan 67 in 43.4 overs (Ekta Bisht 5/8). India 70/3 in 22.3 overs (Deepti Sharma 29 n.o.). India won by seven wickets.
Sri Lanka 197/9 in 50 overs (Chamari Athapaththu 84; Salma Khatun 3/18). Bangladesh 68/5 in 21 overs (Nigar Sultana 24; Udeshika Prabhodini 2/14). Sri Lanka won by 42 runs via D/L method.
Ireland 166 in 49.5 overs (Mary Waldron 33 n.o.). South Africa 82/1 in 21 overs (Laura Wolvaardt 32 n.o.)
South Africa won by 36 runs via D/L method.
