Matches between India and Pakistan always start off as feisty affairs but end up becoming closely-fought encounters. Historically, the two subcontinent nations have had a rivalry not restricted to sports but also political grounds. The two sides will kick off their Women's T20 World Cup campaigns in South Africa on February 12.
While matches between the two men's teams are well-documented, the fixtures between the women's teams are always very interesting, edge-of-the-seat and go on till the final ball. However, the last time the two sides met in the Women's T20 World Cup, it was a more-or-less one-sided affair. Here, we recap that match, which took place in the 2018 Women's T20 World Cup.
When and where did they last meet in the Women's T20 World Cup?
India last played Pakistan in the 2018 Women's T20 World Cup on November 11 in the West Indies during their Group B fixture.
How did the match go?
Having lost to Pakistan at home in the 2016 Women's T20 World Cup, India had a lot of baggage on their shoulders when they took on their arch-rivals in their second match of the tournament.
Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur won the toss and decided to bowl first. After dismissing the top order for just 20 runs courtesy of Arundhati Reddy and runouts by Poonam Yadav and Jemimah Rodrigues, the pressure was on the Pakistani batters. But their skipper Bismah Maroof, along with Nida Dar, stabilised the middle order.
Maroof scored a 49-ball 53, with 4 fours to her name, and a strike rate of 108.16. Her batting partner Dar scored 52 runs in 35 balls at a strike rate of 148.57. Their partnership of 93 in 71 balls was crucial to Pakistan as the side registered their highest-ever score in the competition — 133 — but two ducks frustrated their side into a subpar score.
The response from the Indian batters was straightforward and simple — keep calm and composed, and pile the pressure on their opponents. Openers Mithali Raj and Smriti Mandhana started on a strong note and set up a partnership of 63 runs in 57 balls.
Mandhana eventually scored 26 runs off 28 balls before losing her wicket, and then Mithali carried the team on her back. She eventually score her 16 T20I century, and was also helped by the 10 penalty runs given against Pakistan for traipsing up and down the danger area of the pitch.
The former India skipper soon lost her wicket for 56 runs But by then, the damage was already done — the score read 126/3, and skipper Harmanpreet completed what was an easy victory for her team.
