Women's T20 World Cup: Jemimah stars as India defeat Pakistan

At the Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town on Sunday, India overcame arch-rival Pakistan by a margin of seven wickets in the Women's T20 World Cup 2023 opener.Ayesha Naseem (43 not out off 25) and Bismah Maroof (68 not out off 55) both put up outstanding efforts to help Pakistan record a respectable score of 149-4 in the allotted 20 overs. India was headed by Yastika Bhatia with Smriti Mandhana injured and Shafali Verma pursuing 150. Before Yastike was taken out by Sadia Iqbal in the last over of the powerplay, the pair had put 38 runs together for the first wicket. Verma and Jemimah Rodrigues recovered, but Pakistan struck in the tenth over with a sensational catch by Sidra Amin near the ropes that sent Verma back. Nashra Sandhu sent Harmanpreet Kaur back in the fourteenth over to give Pakistan a significant advantage however Harmanpreet Kaur and Jemimah briefly fought back.Contrarily, Jemimah Rodrigues led India's assault in the run chase with a magnificent unbroken fifty (53 not out off 38), and together with Richa Ghosh (31 not out off 20), they helped India cross the finish line with seven wickets remaining in 19 overs. Javeria Khan, the opener for Pakistan, who had won the toss and chosen to bat first, was dismissed by Deepti Sharma in the second over. To assist Pakistan reach 39/1 at the conclusion of the powerplay, their greatest total against India in the first six overs in women's T20Is, Bismah Maroof and Muneeba Ali attacked Deepti.

Radha Yadav quickly responded, taking Muneeba's wicket, and Pooja Vastrakar returned Nida Dar for a duck to restore India's lead. When Sidra Amin, who was in fine form, joined Maroof in the middle, the two added 25 runs for the fourth wicket until Amin was accidentally removed by Radha. Pakistan's innings gained momentum after Ayesha Naseem's introduction as she sprinted off the starting line with several lusty hits. As Ayesha attacked from the other end, Maroof held one end up as Pakistan passed the 100-run threshold in the 16th over. Maroof shortly after, and the two put up a performance that gave India the advantage. Pakistan reached 149/4 at the conclusion of 20 overs thanks to an unbroken 81-run stand.overs. Pakistan handed India a challenging goal in the final five overs, scoring 58 runs.

Brief scores: India Women 151/3 in 19 overs (Jemimah Rodrigues 53 not out, Richa Ghosh 31 not out, Nashra Sandhu 2/15) defeated Pakistan Women 149/4 in 20 overs (Bismah Maroof 68 not out, Ayesha Naseem 43 not out, Radha Yadav 2-21) by 7 wickets.