AFTER letting one slip against Australia, India has got its first win on the board at the Commonwealth Games after a dominant eight wicket win over fierce rival Pakistan.

The Indian win was largely thanks to a stellar performance with the bat from Smriti Mandhana, whose 63 not out ensured the target of 100 was no challenge. After electing to bat first, the Pakistanis lost their first wicket after only nine balls and with only one run on the board.

Muneeba Ali Siddiqui and Bismah Maroof then steadied a little, but were not scoring nearly quickly enough. That would be a problem that would haunt the Pakistanis right through their innings. They kept losing wickets too quickly, and so could not get scoring momentum going. Siddiqui’s 32 was ultimately the top scorer as Pakistan were bowled out for 99 after 18 overs.  

Meanwhile for the Indians, Radha Yadav and Sneh Rana were the pick of the bowlers with two wickets apiece.

Unlike the Pakistanis, the Indians got off to a much quicker start in their response. They were going at almost 10 runs an over as Mandhana got to work, ably assisted by Shafali Verma. They lost another wicket about five overs later, but it did not matter. At that point they were within striking distance of the target. India eventually reached the target two balls shy of the end of the 12th over.

The Pakistanis could not even blame extras for the comprehensive loss, with the Pakistanis only bowling seven extras for the innings. Meanwhile for the Pakistanis, Omaima Sohail and Tuba Hussan were the only ones to nab wickets.

India’s win sets up an enthralling final day’s action, with the victors set to play Barbados, and the winner of that clash to progress to the semi finals.