Richa then tore into the bowling through a blistering 17-ball cameo as the two overs yielded 38 runs. Pakistan had its moments, with Fatima Sana (2-33) and Sadia Iqbal (2-41) striking key blows, but dropped chances proved costly as India capitalised to reach a competitive total and push Pakistan into the pursuit of their highest successful chase in tournament history.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
India\u2019s innings began with less fireworks and more setbacks in power-play. Shafali Verma smashed Sadia over long-off for six on the first ball but was on the third ball after edging behind to Muneeba Ali Siddiqui. Smriti steadied the ship through a leaning extra cover drive and swiping off Sadia for two boundaries.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Jemimah Rodrigues never looked settled as after not taking a single off Tasmia Rubab, she went for a cross-bat hoick and was caught by a juggling Natalia Pervaiz at cover. With Harmanpreet Kaur taking time, Smriti\u2019s composure became India\u2019s anchor as she pulled and swept Rameen Shamim for consecutive fours, while straight driving just wide of Fatima for four as India ended the six-over phase at 38\/2.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Smriti got a life on 27 when Aliya Riaz dropped her at mid-off on Tasmia\u2019s bowling, while Harmanpreet broke the shackles by sweeping and driving off Nashra Sandhu for two fours. Smriti then danced down the pitch to loft Tasmia for a clean six over long-off before lofting Nashra inside-out over extra cover for another maximum.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Though Smriti was nearly caught short of her ground on a risky second run, she got her fifty in just 34 balls with her signature shot \u2013 dancing down the pitch and lofting Rameen for four, before exploiting mid-on\u2019s positioning to smash another lofted boundary. She was given another reprieve on 61 when Saira Jabeen dropped the catch off her lofted shot against Sadia and conceded a six.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
After Harmanpreet sliced and steered off Sadia for two boundaries in a 19-run 13th over, Smriti followed up with a stylish inside\u2011out cover drive off Rameen for four. But she perished on the very next ball \u2013 lofting off the toe-end to long-off. After that, India suffered twin blows - Bharti Fulmali was deceived in flight by Sadia and got stumped for a duck, while a struggling Harmanpreet flicked to deep square leg off Fatima.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Though Smriti was nearly caught short of her ground on a risky second run, she got her fifty in just 34 balls with her signature shot \u2013 dancing down the pitch and lofting Rameen for four, before exploiting mid-on\u2019s positioning to smash another lofted boundary. She was given another reprieve on 61 when Saira Jabeen dropped the catch off her lofted shot against Sadia and conceded a six.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Brief Scores: India 170\/6 in 20 overs (Smriti Mandhana 68, Harmanpreet Kaur 36; Fatima Sana 2-33, Sadia Iqbal 2-41) against Pakistan<\/p>\r\n\r\n