Women's World Cup 2025: India defeat Pakistan by 88 runs 

Colombo (Web Desk): India secured a commanding 88-run victory over Pakistan in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 at Colombo’s R. Premadasa Stadium on Sunday, as Pakistan’s batting faltered in pursuit of a 248-run target.

The chase began on a dramatic note when opener Muneeba Ali was run out for just two off 12 balls in the fourth over.

A direct throw from Deepti Sharma struck the stumps, and although Muneeba initially appeared safe, replays showed her bat lifting fractionally at the crucial moment. The big screen confirmed the verdict — out — leaving the batter visibly frustrated as India celebrated their first breakthrough.

Pakistan’s troubles deepened soon after. Sadaf Shamas managed only six from 24 balls before falling to Kranti Goud in the eighth over, and Aliya Riaz followed for two off eight, reducing the side to 26 for three after 11.1 overs.

A brief recovery came through Natalia Parvaiz and Sidra Amin, who stitched together a composed 69-run partnership, finding gaps and boundaries to ease some pressure. The stand ended when Parvaiz edged Goud on 33 off 46 deliveries, leaving Pakistan at 95 for four in the 28th over.

From there, wickets tumbled steadily. Captain Fatima Sana was dismissed for two by Deepti Sharma, while Sidra Amin held firm at the other end, compiling a resilient 81 off 106 balls — her 13th ODI fifty and her first against India. She took Pakistan past the 100 mark in the 32nd over, but her partners offered little resistance. Sidra Nawaz added 14 before falling to Sneh Rana, and Rameen Shamim was trapped for a golden duck by Deepti, leaving the score at 146 for seven in the 39th over.

Amin’s defiance ended when Rana bowled her, and Diana Baig was run out for nine after a sharp throw from Harmanpreet Kaur. Pakistan’s innings folded for 159 in 43 overs, with Deepti Sharma and Kranti Goud each claiming three wickets and Sneh Rana taking two.

Earlier, India’s innings featured steady contributions throughout. Openers Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal provided a brisk start, scoring 23 and 31 respectively, before Fatima Sana and Sadia Iqbal removed them in quick succession. Harleen Deol and Harmanpreet Kaur rebuilt briefly until Kaur was dismissed for 19 by Diana Baig. Deol went on to score 46 off 65 balls, sharing a 46-run stand with Jemimah Rodrigues, who made 32 from 37 deliveries before both fell in the middle overs, leaving India at 159 for five after 35 overs.

Deepti Sharma and Sneh Rana steadied the innings again, guiding India beyond 200 with a valuable 42-run partnership. Rana made 20 before falling to Fatima Sana, and Deepti followed for 25 to Diana Baig. Sadia Iqbal dismissed Shree Charani for eight, and India looked set for a modest finish at 226 for eight in the 49th over.

However, Richa Ghosh provided late fireworks with an unbeaten 39 off just 20 balls, striking three boundaries and two sixes to lift India to 247 for nine. Kranti Goud contributed eight before falling to Baig, who finished with three wickets alongside Sana’s two.

Pakistan’s reply never gained traction, and India’s disciplined bowling ensured a comfortable win — a result built on collective effort, sharp fielding, and composure under pressure.