Kranti Gaud (3-20) and Deepti Sharma (3-45) starred with the ball as India humbled Pakistan by 88 runs at the R. Premadasa Stadium on Sunday. Defending a total of 247, India bowled out Pakistan for 159 in 43 overs.
The win marked India’s 12th consecutive victory over Pakistan in the format and propelled them to the top of the points table.
Pakistan struggled from the outset, falling behind the required run rate within 15 overs. Sidra Amin top-scored with 81 off 106 balls, reaching her fifty in 82 deliveries and being dropped four times, but she lacked support from the rest of the lineup as India’s bowlers kept the pressure on.
Kranti Gaud and Renuka Singh Thakur opened the attack with precise line and length, extracting swing and seam movement that left Pakistan’s top order searching for answers. Deepti Sharma’s sharp fielding also contributed, including a direct-hit run out of Muneeba Ali.
Earlier, the Indian women struggled on a sluggish pitch, with several batters failing to convert starts. Harleen Deol (46) and Richa Ghosh (35*) added crucial runs in the final overs to push the total to 247. Multiple interruptions, including a 15-minute break for pest control, stretched the innings over four hours.
Pakistan’s chase saw some resistance from Sidra Amin and Natalia Pervaiz (33), but wickets fell at regular intervals.
India’s bowlers remained disciplined throughout, with Kranti Gaud, Deepti Sharma, and Renuka Singh Thakur sharing the wickets. Richa Ghosh’s two missed catches did little to impact India’s dominance, as Pakistan’s batting line-up lacked depth.
Kranti Gaud was adjudged the Player of the Match.
Brief Scores: India 247 in 50 overs (Harleen Deol 46, Richa Ghosh 35*; Diana Baig 4-69, Fatima Sana Khan 2-38) beat Pakistan 159 in 43 overs (Sidra Amin 81, Natalia Pervaiz 33; Kranti Gaud 3-20, Deepti Sharma 3-45) by 88 runs.
