Indian eves thrash Pak in World Cup opener
Posted on Mar 07, 2009 at 12:22 | Updated Mar 07, 2009 at 17:56
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Bowral (Australia): The Indian women kicked off their World Cup campaign on a resounding note as they beat arch-rivals Pakistan by 10 wickets in the lung-opener of the quadrennial extravaganza here on Saturday.
Electing to bowl, India shot out the Pakistanis for a paltry 57 in 29 overs and then their openers finished the Group B game in 10 overs at the Bradman Oval ground here.
The target of 58 was never enough to test the India batters who achieved the victory in 10 overs in bright sunshine. Anjum Chopra (17) and stumper Anagha Deshpande (26) remained unbeaten to guide India home.
Earlier, Sana Mir (17) and Bismah Maroof (11), apart from the 10 extras, were the only batters to reach the double figures in Pakistan's innings.
The Indian bowlers, spearheaded by captain Jhulan Goswami, bowled to a teasing line and length and made full use of the early morning conditions.
While Goswami picked up a wicket by conceding 18 runs, her new ball partner and Player of the Match Rumeli Dhar finished with figures of 8-5-7-3.
Vice-captain Amita Sharma and Priyanka Roy chipped in with 2 for 9 and 2 for 13 respectively.
"It was an important victory for us as it was World Cup opener and against Pakistan. I am glad we have started the tournament on a winning note and I look forward to improving our performance," Jhulan said after the match.
"I never expected Pakistan to be bowled out for 57 but this reflects how well we utilised the conditions. We got a bit sloppy in the later part of Pakistan's innings and I am not happy about that. We cannot afford to be complacent at any stage because no match is finished until the final bowl is bowled," Goswami added. A dejected Pakistan captain Urooj Mumtaz conceded that her team was outplayed by the Indians and their morale was down after the crushing defeat.
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