Diana Baig reached a milestone of 100 international wickets with an impressive four-wicket haul against India Women, although Pakistan Women fell 88 runs short of the 248-run target in their second ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup match at the R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo on Sunday night.
After winning the toss and choosing to bowl, Pakistan captain Fatima Sana made an early breakthrough by trapping Smriti Mandhana leg-before. Sadia Iqbal followed up by bowling Pratika Rawal for 31 off 37 balls, with India at 67 runs.
Diana Baig then struck a crucial blow by dismissing Harmanpreet Kaur (19 off 34 balls, 2 fours), caught behind in the 25th over with India at 106. Harleen Deol anchored the innings with a top score of 46 off 65 balls, supported by Richa Ghosh (35* off 20 balls, 3 fours, 2 sixes), Jemimah Rodrigues (32 off 37 balls, 5 fours), and Deepti Sharma (25 off 33 balls, 1 four), helping India cross the 200-run mark. Pakistan managed to claim the last seven wickets for just 96 runs.
Diana finished with figures of 10 overs, 1 maiden, 69 runs, and 4 wickets. Fatima Sana and Sadia Iqbal chipped in with two wickets each.
In response, Sidra Amin entered in the fifth over and scored a resilient 81, her 13th ODI fifty, featuring nine boundaries and a six. She built a 69-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Natalia Parvaiz (33 off 46 balls, 4 fours) and added 41 runs in 43 balls for the sixth wicket with Sidra Nawaz (14 off 22 balls, 1 four). Despite these efforts, Pakistan was bowled out with 42 balls remaining.
India’s Kranti Goud and Deepti Sharma were the standout bowlers, each claiming three wickets, with Goud earning the Player of the Match honors.