India beat Pakistan, end ICC Women’s World Cup campaign on a high

Cuttack, Feb 7 (IANS) India finished their ICC Women’s World Cup on a high as captain Mithali Raj led the hosts to a six-wicket win over arch rivals Pakistan at the Barabati Stadium here Thursday.

Despite having had a poor performance with the bat in the group stages, Pakistan put on their best batting display of the tournament so far scoring 192 for seven. Raj’s hard-fought century (103 not out) secured India victory as they went on to score 195 for four in 46 overs.

Pakistan, after winning the toss, elected to bat.

Nain Abidi and Nida Dar were the pick of the batters scoring 58 and 68, respectively. The pair added 80 runs for the third-wicket partnership before Nain departed off the bowling of Jhulan Goswami.

Niranjana Nagarajan proved to be the pick of the Indian bowlers, snaffling three for 35, including the key wickets of Bismah Maroof, Asmavis Iqbal and captain Sana Mir.

In response, India lost Punam Raut (4) early on, when she was declared leg-before to the bowling of Qanita Jalil. It was then up to Mithali Raj and Thirush Kamini (26) to steady the India run-chase.

Raj held the innings together even as she lost Kamini with the score at 51.

Thereafter Raj and Harmanpreet Kaur (16) added 49 runs for the fourth wicket. Despite losing Sulakshana Naik (3) soon, Raj guided her side home in the company of Reema Malhotra (25). The Raj-Malhotra combine added an unbeaten 87 runs for the fifth wicket.

Brief Scores:

Pakistan: 192 for seven in 50 overs (Nain 58, Nida 68 not out; Goswami 2-17, Niranjana 3-35) vs India 195 for four in 46 overs (Raj 103 not out, Kamini 26)

IANS 2013-02-07 18:20:03