India vs Pakistan Women's T20 World Cup: Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh hold nerves to beat PAK-W by 7 wickets

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Jemimah Rorigues and Richa Ghosh get the job done under pressure as India beat Pakistan by seven wickets in India vs Pakistan Women's T20 World Cup group opener in Cape Town on Sunday. Rodrigues scored a 38-ball 53* while Richa Ghosh contributed 31* off 20 balls from the other end as India chased down 150 with an over to spare.

The duo held its nerve in a thrilling chase as it stitched an unbeaten stand of 58 runs from just 33 balls to seal the victory for India.

Opener Shafali Verma scored a 25-ball 33 top the order to provide a strong start to India in the tricky chase. Rodrigues Ghosh's innings remained in the spotlight as it effectively overshadowed Pakistan captain Bismah Maroof assertive 55-ball 68 in the first half of the game.

Asked to bowl first, India struck early with spinner Deepti Sharma dismissing Javeria Khan, who took an offensive stance by sweeping Deepti early in the game but was caught at short fine leg after failing to time the ball.

In at No. 3, skipper Bismah Maroof kept the scoreboard ticking after the early setback as she slammed three boundaries within the powerplay to take the score to 39/1 by the end of fielding restrictions.

The stand, however, was short-lived as opener Muneeba Ali (12 runs off 14 balls) was stumped out in the seventh over as Radha Yadav handed the blow.

Newly-in Nida Dar followed her back to pavilion as well in the next over as pacer Pooja Vastrakar had her caught behind for a duck.

Maroof tried to steady the ship with Sidra Amin as the duo added 25 runs for the fourth wicket. Yadav, however, returned for another spell and removed Amin for 11 (18) at the beginning of the 13th over.

India vs Pakistan Women's T20 World Cup: Bismah Mahroof scores 68*

The stand did build the foundation of Pakistan's innings as No. 5 Ayesha Naseem scored quickly in the remaining of the middle overs to shift the momentum in Pakistan's favour. She took Renuka Singh for 18 runs in the 16th over to push the side towards a big total.

Her aggressive stance took the pressure off Maroof, who reached her half-century in 45 deliveries at the beginning of the 18th over.

The duo stitched an unbeaten 81-run stand for the fifth wicket to take Pakistan's total to 149/4 in 20 overs. Maroof scored a 55-ball 68* while Naseem remained not out on 43 off 25, laced with two fours and two sixes.

Chasing 150, Shafali Verma and Yashtika Bhatia (17) scored 30-odd runs in the first five overs to provide a brisk start to India in the chase. Bhatia fell right before the powerplay ended as Sadia Iqbal dismissed her.

Shafali then added a further 27 runs for the second wicket with Jemimah before losing her wicket to Nashra Sandhu (2/15).

Harmanpreet Kaur tried taking an aggressive stance by hitting two boundaries to up the run rate. Her fight, however, was short-lived with a 12-ball 16 knock with Sandhu claiming her second scalp of the night; leaving India stuttering at 93/3 in 13.3 overs

Jemimah and Ghosh then joined forces to ensure the win in the death overs.