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Women’s Cricket World Cup: India trounce Pakistan to maintain perfect record

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3 years ago

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India dispatched a meek Pakistan by 107 runs after a record stand by Pooja Vastrakar and Sneh Rana overcame a mid-innings slump in their Women’s Cricket World Cup clash at Mount Maunganui on Sunday.

The first clash between the Asian rivals since India’s victory in the 2017 World Cup ended with Pakistan all out in the 43rd over for 137 in reply to India’s 244 for seven.

India had prevailed in all 10 previous one-day matches between the two, but Bismah Maroof’s team threatened to pull off an upset when they reduced Mithali Raj’s side to 114-6 in the 34th over.

Opener Smriti Mandhana made 52 but it was counter-attacking knocks from lower-order batters Vastrakar (67) and Rana, who made unbeaten 53, that helped India to a decent total of 244-7.

Vastrakar, the player of the match, belted 67 off 59 deliveries before she was bowled by Fatima Sana at the start of the final over while Rana was unbeaten on 53 off 48.

While it was a comprehensive victory for India, captain Mithali Raj said there was plenty to work on if they were to make the playoffs.

“A very important partnership there between Pooja and Sneh brought us to the total we put on the board, but that is something we would like to address, because when you start playing the tournament, it’s important that your top order scores runs,” she said.

At the top of the order for India, Smriti Mandhana and Deepti Sharma contributed 52 and 40 respectively and, along with Vastrakar and Rana, the quartet provided all but 32 of their total.

Pakistan did not help their cause by giving away 11 extras including three in a nine-ball over from Fatima Sana that included two wides and a no ball.

While the required run rate was under five an over, Pakistan fell off the pace from the start and after seven overs had only eight runs on the board.

At the halfway stage, they were 78 for five, compared to India’s 100 for three, and struggling to cope with the spin of Rajeshwari Gayakwad and the superb glovework of 18-year-old Richa Ghosh behind the stumps.

The veteran left-armer Gayakwad took four for 31 off her 10 overs while teenager Ghosh had a hand in five dismissals with four catches and a stumping.

Bismah said Pakistan could not capitalise on the strong start and let India off the hook.

“We gave away easy runs to them, we were sloppy on the field, we didn’t put them under pressure,” she said. “Our batting has to improve, our shot selection wasn’t good, we’ll work on it ahead of the next game.”

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Will the Champions Trophy 2025 miss an opening ceremony?

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The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 may commence without the traditional opening ceremony or captains’ press conference due to a modified arrival schedule for the participating teams.

This year, the England and Australia cricket teams will arrive in Pakistan nearer to the commencement of the event.

Sources inside the International Cricket Council (ICC) have verified that teams, including England and Australia, will arrive in Pakistan following their separate tours.

England is set to complete its tour of India by February 12, but Australia will conclude their series in Sri Lanka on February 14.

Consequently, both teams have retracted from the warm-up matches, a decision aligned with prior ICC events, where tardy attendance hindered practice matches.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) indicated interest in staging an opening ceremony; but, logistical issues related to the teams’ arrival dates resulted in its postponement.

The PCB stated that although the occurrence was not officially verified, it has consistently been regarded as a potentiality.

Although the opening ceremony and press conference have been cancelled, the PCB is dedicated to organising an alternative event to commemorate the importance of hosting the ICC Champions Trophy for the first time in 29 years.

The inaugural match of the tournament, featuring Pakistan and New Zealand, is set for February 19 in Karachi.

The PCB has stated that a celebration for fans will be organized ahead of the match to highlight the excitement surrounding the event.

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Gaddafi Stadium is undergoing renovations. Main Work Done, Finishing Touches Initiated: PCB

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2 days ago

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Gaddafi Stadium will have all of its seats finished by tomorrow evening, according to Jawad Qazi, director of infrastructure for the Pakistan Cricket Board.

Qazi stated in an interview with the Lahore media that the bulk of the work has been finished and that only the final touches are being done.

In addition to the horticulture department planting flowers, grass, and other plants, work is currently being done to clear the area surrounding the stadium.

Quality of work is also guaranteed, according to Qazi.

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USA Cricket CEO Meets With Mohsin Naqvi: agrees to complete the mutual series program.

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3 days ago

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Mohsin Naqvi visits Washington to meet with Jonathan Atkeison, the CEO of USA Cricket.

Finalizing the plan to hold a cricket series between the two nations’ teams was decided upon during the conference.

There are a ton of potential to promote cricket in America, and PCB is prepared to offer this sport its full support.

Mohsin Naqvi invited Jonathan Atkeison to participate in the Champions Trophy Tournament matches in Pakistan and offered to train the US coaches there.

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