India’s early dominance, Pakistan’s history in Galle and Delhi

Women’s CricZone looks back at the previous clashes.

World T20 2009: Taunton, Group stage
(India beat Pakistan by five wickets with 14 balls to spare)

The two teams had met in a world event for the first time in the 50-over World Cup in Bowral in March that year where India had dismissed Pakistan for 57 and then chased down the target in ten overs without losing a wicket.

Both India and Pakistan had lost their opening encounters of the WT20 against England and Sri Lanka respectively, so they needed a win to stay alive in the knockout race.

Opting to bat first, Pakistani batters had no clue against Rumeli Dhar, who finished with 3 for 13, and Priyanka Roy, who by claiming 5 for 16 became the first Indian to record a five-wicket haul in the format. Only Nain Abidi (17), Asmavia Iqbal (10) and Almas Akram (10) reached double figures, as Pakistan were dismissed for 75 – their lowest total in T20Is before England bowled them for 60 at the same venue three days later.

Pakistan made a spirited attempt to defend the total, reducing India to 36 for 4 in 7.1 overs with all of Punam Raut, the debutant, Mithali Raj, Dhar and Priyanka back in the hut. Anjum Chopra, though, held the innings together with her unbeaten 37 off 52 balls, and had stands of 22 and unbeaten 20 with Sulakshana Naik and Reema Malhotra respectively.

World T20 2010: St. Kitts, Group stage
(India beat Pakistan by nine wickets with 20 balls to spare)

Both teams came to this game having lost their respective first matches, so like 2009 it was a must-win encounter to remain alive in the competition. And once again Priyanka cherished the Pakistani batting line-up to return figures of 3 for 19. As compared to their last face-off, Pakistan batters were better in their approach with Abidi showing good intent with a 14-ball 20, Sana Mir holding things together after loss of four early wickets with 35 off 41 balls, and Urooz Mumtaz stepping up towards the end with an unbeaten 26 off 31 balls. The trio contributed in Pakistan reaching 104 for 6 – their fourth hundred-plus total till that point of time.

The target, however, did not challenge India, with Raut taking the player of the match award with her run-a-ball 54 not out. She was ably supported by Mithali (33 not out off 28 balls) during an unbroken second-wicket stand of 79.

World T20 2012: Galle, Group Stage
(Pakistan beat India by one run)

History was created as Pakistan beat India across formats for the first-ever time. It was a nail-biter of a game with the equation boiling down to India needing 14 off the final over bowled by Mir, the captain, to complete a successful chase of 99. N Niranjana smashed the first ball for a four, and then ran well with Anuja Patil to bring it down to four needed off the last ball.

Niranjana hit the ball straight with an aim of at least securing a tie, but was run out going for the third run. A thrilling end that did not look a possibility after Pakistan struggled again after batting first. Promoting herself to open the innings, Mir scored a fighting 38-ball 26, and Abidi made 25 off 34 balls, but they two wickets each for Jhulan Goswami and Rasanara Parwin pushed them back.

In a recent interaction with Women’s CricZone, Marina Iqbal remembering hitting her first international six in the final over of Pakistan’s innings, which proved to be a game-changer. India’s chase lacked momentum, with only Goswami’s 21 off 24 balls making an impression. Mir has often been quoted saying that this is one of the best moments of her career.

World T20 2014: Sylhet, Qualification play-off
(India beat Pakistan by six runs)

Soniya Dabir had turned herself from a pace bowler to an offspinner to make a comeback into the Indian team that season, but looked doubtful for the game against Pakistan because she was hospitalised a day before because of food poisoning. Determined to play, she turned out to be the difference in another close game between the neighbours.

After India rode on Raj’s 43-ball 39 and crucial partnerships with the middle-order before she got out in the final over to post 106 for 7, Pakistan did not get off to a good start in their chase.

Dabir struck for the first time in the third over when she had Javeria Khan caught, and followed that up with the wicket of Abidi in her second over. She returned to dismiss Nahida, who top-scored for Pakistan with 26, in the 15^th over to bring the game back in India’s balance. She finished with career-best figures of 3 for 14 in what would be the last international match of her career.

Dar provided some late impetus to the innings with her 24 from No.9, but ran out of partners at the end as Pakistan finished on 100 for 9.

World T20 2016: Delhi, Group stage
(Pakistan beat India by two runs (D/L method))

Having beaten Bangladesh and lost to England, India were slightly under the pump coming into this game, especially with expectations high in a home world event after their series win in Australia only a few months back. The pressure got to them as they opted to bat first on a surface that got better as the game progressed, and failed to make use of the Power Play – reaching 7 for 2 in six overs. They failed to get past Amin, the left-arm spinner who finished with 1 for 9 in her four overs. Equally frugal were Asmavia and Mir. Had it not been for some late order runs from Veda Krishnamurthy (24), Goswami (14) and Shikha Pandey (10 not out), India would not have reached 96 for 7.

Pakistan made steady progress in their chase through Sidra Ameen’s 26, but a few quick wickets including two sharp run outs by Sushma Verma, the wicketkeeper, brought India back. Pakistan, however, had done enough to be ahead of the target by two runs when rain arrived. “Due to Pakistan and India sports rivalry, the news spread like fire in Pakistan,” Abidi was quoted as saying to Ary Sports. “The entire Pakistan nation, PCB and government sent us winning messages and congratulated the team performance.”

It was a high intensity game with more than 7000 people at the ground. Pakistan surprisingly too had their supporters, but the match was called off at a certain cut-off time even though rain had stopped because the men’s India v Pakistan match in Kolkata had to get underway. Clearly the broadcasters missed a trick.