IND-W vs PAK-W: Why Did Harmanpreet Kaur walk out of ground before India's Win and Skipped Presentation Ceremony too?

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India secured a crucial win in their Women's T20 World Cup 2024 campaign, defeating arch-rivals Pakistan by six wickets in a much-anticipated match in Sharjah. However, the victory came with a concerning moment for the Indian camp, as captain Harmanpreet Kaur had to retire hurt during her vital innings due to a neck injury.

Chasing a modest target of 106 set by Pakistan, India confidently reached 108/4 in 18.5 overs, clinching the win with seven balls remaining. Harmanpreet played a key role in stabilising the chase, scoring a well-paced 29 off 24 balls with a strike rate of 120.83.

Her innings included one boundary, but her time at the crease was cut short in a painful moment. In the 18th over, bowled by Pakistan's Nida Dar, Harmanpreet attempted to guide a fuller delivery outside off but missed the ball. In her attempt to return to the crease at full stretch, she overbalanced and appeared to hurt her neck.

Muneeba Ali, the wicketkeeper, missed a stumping opportunity, but the real concern for India was Harmanpreet's injury as she walked off clutching her neck. The Indian physio attended to her immediately, but her discomfort was clear.

Despite this setback, the Indian team maintained their focus and composure, finishing the game strongly. The winning runs came from the bat of S Sajana, who confidently struck a boundary off the very first ball she faced. Her shot sealed India's first victory of the tournament, bringing relief to the dugout.

Earlier in the match, Pakistan struggled to put up a competitive total, managing only 105/8 after opting to bat first. Arundhati Reddy delivered a brilliant spell, claiming 3 wickets for 19 runs, while Shreyanka Patil picked up two important wickets. Nida Dar top-scored for Pakistan with 28 runs off 34 balls, but India's bowlers maintained a tight grip, taking wickets at regular intervals.