ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier: Ekta Bisht’s 5-for rattles Pakistan; India to chase 68

Indian bowlers, especially Ekta Bisht, ran through the Pakistan batting line-up as the arch-rivals locked horns in the crucial Super Six tie of the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifiers 2017.

Indian bowlers, especially Ekta Bisht, ran through the Pakistan batting line-up as the arch-rivals locked horns in the crucial Super Six tie of the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifiers 2017. Playing at Colombo’s P Sara Oval, Pakistan found it hard to survive the rampant Indian bowling, for they went on throwing away wickets at regular intervals. Only two batters could register double-digit scores, eventually putting up 67 all-out off 43.4 overs. Ekta’s stellar show was the main contribution amidst Pakistan ruins, becoming only the ninth India Women’s bowler to pick up a 5-for in a One-Day International (ODI) and the first against Pakistan. LIVE CRICKET UPDATE: India vs Pakistan, ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifiers 2017, Super Sixes, Match 7

Winning the toss, Mithali Raj sent Pakistan to bat. The Indian bowlers made good use of the the overcast conditions, making life of Pakistan batters difficult. Pacer Shikha Pandey struck early. She took 2 crucial wickets of Nahida Khan and Javeria Khan for single-digit scores. Ayesha Zafar, however, tried to spend time in the middle but was removed as soon as spin was introduced. In the end, her 33-ball 19 ended up as highest score of the innings.

Ekta’s first took was Ayesha, later on dismissing Nain Abidi a 20-ball duck. Pakistan were then reduced to 39 for 4, with Bismah Maroof being the only hope for Pakistan. All the same, she fell prey to India’s disciplined bowling attack, departing for 13.

A delivery that requires a mention is the one that dismissed Aliya Riaz. It was Devika Vaidya, who pitched it just outside leg-stump but the ball got a massive turn to hit the wickets. On the other hand, India’s fielding efforts were as terrific as their bowling. Though there was an easy chance put down by Devika, Veda Krishnamurthy picked up some stunning catches, including a one-handed dive to her left.

Brief scores:

Pakistan Women 67 (Ayesha Zafar 19, Bismah Maroof 13; Shikha Pandey 2 for 9, Ekta Bisht 5 for 8) against India Women.

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