By Desmond Nleya
India delivered a dominant performance to defeat arch-rivals Pakistan by 88 runs in their highly anticipated ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 clash in Colombo, moving to the top of the points table with four points.
Batting first on a tricky, moisture-laden surface at the neutral venue in the Sri Lankan capital, India posted 247 before being bowled out off the final ball of their 50 overs. Jemimah Rodrigues (32), Harleen Deol (45), and a late flourish from Richa Ghosh (35* off 20) anchored the innings, despite no player reaching a half-century — India’s highest ODI total without a fifty.
Pratika Rawal (23) and Smriti Mandhana (31) gave India a steady start, while Pakistan’s Diana Baig led the bowling attack with 4-69, albeit expensively. The match was briefly halted for 20 minutes due to fumigation, as swarms of flies disrupted play.
Pakistan’s chase unraveled quickly, slumping to 26-3 by the 12th over under relentless swing from Renuka Singh Thakur and young pacer Kranti Goud. Goud was the star with the ball, finishing with 3-20 from her 10 overs, while Pakistan failed to recover despite a 69-run stand between Sidra Amin and Natalia Pervaiz.
Amin’s dismissal in the 40th over sealed Pakistan’s fate, with the side collapsing soon after to be bowled out within the next three overs. Captain Sana lamented missed run-outs and misfields, believing her team could have restricted India to under 200.
“In the powerplay we gave away too many runs, and again at the death,” she said post-match.
India captain Harmanpreet Kaur hailed her bowlers, particularly Goud: “Kranti was outstanding. Our spinners chipped in as well. We created many chances—though we dropped a few—but overall, we’re happy.”
The intense match drew extra attention due to political tensions between the two nations, with no handshakes exchanged at the toss or after the game.
India now return home to continue their group campaign against South Africa on Thursday, while Pakistan remain in Colombo to face defending champions Australia on Wednesday.
