IND vs PAK: India Women manage six-wicket win over Pakistan to register first victory of T20 World Cup 2024

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IND vs PAK: India Women bounced back from their defeat against New Zealand and defeated arch-rivals Pakistan Women by six wickets to register their first win of the Women's T20 World Cup 2024 in at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, October 6.

India captain Harmanpreet Kaur scored unbeaten 29 off 24 balls as the Women in Blue chased down a 106-run target in 18.5 overs. The 35-year-old had to unfortunately leave the field retired hurt due to a problem in neck after falling awkwardly while getting back in the crease, with India needing just two runs to win.

However, S Sajana scored a boundary on the very next delivery to complete India's 13th T20I win in 16 matches against Pakistan Women.

India Women bowlers gave India the edge after they restricted Pakistan to 105/8 in 20 overs. Pakistan won the toss and hoped to post an impressive total to put India under pressure just like New Zealand Women did against Harmanpreet's side on Friday.

But the plan flopped after they were restricted to 105/8 courtesy 3/19 from pacer Arundhati Reddy and 2/12 from off-spinner Shreyanka Patil.

However, the batting performance of the team was not as impressive. India Women endured another poor start as their star opener Smriti Mandhana struggled again before getting out for 7 off 16.

Shafali Verma played at a strike rate below hundred through her 35-ball innings for 32 runs. Further, Jemimah Rodrigues (23 off 28) and Richa Ghosh (0) departed on successive deliveries at crucial juncture in the must-win game. Harmanpreet Kaur's boundary on the fifth ball of the 18th over was India's first in 39 deliveries.

Despite the win India Women are placed fourth in the five-time Group A table. New Zealand and Australia are occupying the top two spots after winning their respective first matches, while Pakistan is at third, ahead of India due to a better Net Run Rate (NRR).

India Women will be up against Sri Lanka Women on Wednesday, October 9.