Ind Women vs Pak Women 1st Innings Live: Mandhana and Ghosh Power India to 170/6

BIRMINGHAM: A vintage rescue act from vice-captain Smriti Mandhana, followed by a late-innings blitz from wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh, powered India Women to a highly competitive total of 170/6 against arch-rivals Pakistan Women.

Opting to bat first after captain Harmanpreet Kaur won the toss, notably skipping the traditional pre-match handshake with Pakistan’s Fatima Sana, India recovered from a disastrous start to set up a formidable target under the Birmingham skies.

Early Wickets Rattle India

Pakistan’s bowling unit made immediate statements in the powerplay, exploiting the initial movement on offer. Left-arm spinner Sadia Iqbal struck in the very first over, removing the dangerous Shafali Verma, who edged one back to wicketkeeper Muneeba Ali. The pressure mounted when Tasmia Rubab dismissed Jemimah Rodrigues for just 1 run, leaving India reeling at a precarious 18 for 2 inside four overs. The early double-strike silenced the heavily pro-India crowd and handed the momentum squarely to the Women in Green.

The Mandhana-Kaur Rescue Mission

Faced with an early crisis, vice-captain Smriti Mandhana and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur combined for a masterclass in middle-order rebuilding. The duo orchestrated a crucial 91-run partnership off 63 deliveries. Mandhana, who had entered the tournament searching for peak form, looked in sublime touch. She played with elegant intent, punishing anything loose outside off-stump to slam a brilliant 68 off 44 balls, punctuated by nine boundaries and two sixes. 

At the other end, Kaur played a perfect anchor role, accumulating quick singles before adding a solid 36 runs to steady the ship.

Pakistan Fights Back in the Middle Overs

Just as India looked poised for a massive total, Pakistan's spin attack triggered a mini-collapse. Rameen Shamim broke the defining stand by coaxing an mistimed drive from Mandhana, with Fatima Sana completing a sharp catch. Shortly after, Sana herself removed Kaur, who picked out Natalia Pervaiz at deep square leg. 

Combined with tight, economical spells from Nashra Sandhu (0/25), Pakistan choked the run flow, leaving India at 132 for 5 by the 18th over.

Richa Ghosh’s Death-Over Onslaught

However, any hopes Pakistan had of restricting India to a modest score were thoroughly dismantled in the final two overs. Wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh launched an absolute assault alongside Deepti Sharma. The turning point came in the 19th over, where India plundered 23 runs off Tasmia Rubab. Ghosh butchered the attack, clearing the ropes for a massive six and slamming three consecutive boundaries to propel India past the 150-mark. Ghosh carried the explosive momentum into the final over against Fatima Sana, sweeping through fine leg to ensure India finished their 20 overs at 170 for 6.

With a robust total on the board, India's bowlers now hold the cards on a surface that has offered plenty of assistance to both raw pace and disciplined spin.

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