Colombo, Sri Lanka – In a match briefly interrupted by an unusual insect invasion, India Women defeated Pakistan Women by 88 runs in a Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 group stage match held on October 5th. India has now won both of their matches in the tournament and tops the points table.
Pakistan won the toss and chose to bowl first. India was bowled out for 247 in 50 overs. India's innings saw starts from several batters, but momentum proved elusive on a slow pitch. Opener Pratika Rawal scored 31, and Smriti Mandhana added 23. Harleen Deol top-scored with 46 off 65 balls. Jemimah Rodrigues contributed 32. Richa Ghosh provided a late-innings boost with an unbeaten 35 off 20 balls. Diana Baig was the pick of the bowlers for Pakistan, claiming 4 wickets for 69 runs.
Pakistan's chase faltered early, as they lost three wickets in the powerplay and were quickly reduced to 26 for 3. Kranti Goud and Renuka Singh's opening spells put Pakistan under immediate pressure. Sidra Amin played a standout innings, scoring 81 off 106 balls. A 69-run partnership between Amin and Natalia Pervaiz offered some stability, but after Pervaiz fell, Pakistan began to lose wickets at regular intervals. No other Pakistani batter managed to pass 50 runs. Pakistan was eventually bowled out for 159 in 43 overs.
Kranti Gaud was the star bowler for India, taking 3 wickets for 20 runs in her 10 overs. Deepti Sharma also took 3 wickets. Sneh Rana chipped in with 2 wickets.
Despite the victory, India's performance wasn't without flaws. The team dropped three catches, and the fielding was described as "shoddy" at times. Missed LBW reviews also hampered India's efforts. However, India's bowling attack and Richa Ghosh's late-innings hitting proved sufficient to secure the win.
Kranti Gaud was named Player of the Match for her impactful bowling performance. India has now won all 12 of its ODI encounters against Pakistan. India will next face South Africa in Visakhapatnam on Thursday.
