(Cricket news) After losing the first game against Australia, the Indian women's team bounced back with a thumping 8 wicket win against Pakistan. It was a clinical performance by India which was exactly what they needed after losing a winnable game on Friday. The game was cut down to 18 overs due to rain delay after which Pakistan elected to bat first. India announced two changes as Sneh Rana and S. Meghna came in for Rajeshwari Gayakwad and Harleen Deol. Pooja Vastrakar was not available for selection but is expected to be back for the last game against Barbados.
Batting first, Pakistan lost their first wicket without scoring a run but then recovered well as they were 50/1 after 8 overs. The Indian bowlers then came through and inflicted a collapse. Pakistan were bowled out for 99 runs in their 18 overs. Seamers Renuka Singh and Meghna Singh took a wicket each. Harmanpreet Kaur chose not to bowl and instead gave two overs to Shafali Verma who picked up a wicket. Radha Yadav picked two wickets towards the end of the innings. Sneh Rana who came into the side for this game was the pick of the bowlers with the figures of 2/15. Rana has been consistently performing with both bat and ball in all the formats and it is only a mystery how she hasn't become undroppable yet.
India managed to chase the target of 100 in just 11.4 overs. Smriti Mandhana scored an unbeaten 63 off 42 balls, hitting 8 fours and 3 sixes. The left hander was in total control of her innings and guided her team to victory. India needed a dominant performance to stay alive in the competition and that is exactly what they did. Now they need to win the final group stage game against Barbados to book their place in the semi finals. Pooja Vastrakar's return will be a very big boost for the side. Barbados did defeat Pakistan in the first match but then convincingly lost to Australia. India will definitely start the match as favourites but Barbados is more than capable of causing an upset.
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