Galle, Oct 1: In thrilling last-ball finish, India lost to Pakistan by one run in their last league encounter of the ICC World Twenty20 against Pakistan. India’s poor run continued as a dismal batting performance led to India’s defeat at the Galle Cricket Stadium. They will now return without a single win under their belt.
Chasing 99 runs, India lost their first wicket with just 13 runs on the board. Sulakshana Naik, who replaced Amita Sharma at the top of the order, opened the innings with Poonam Raut. Naik was the first to walk back to the dressing room, dismissed for nine by Qanita Jalil. Pakistan offspinner Nida Dar then sent India on the back foot by claiming the key wickets of Poonam Raut, Harmanpreet Kaur and Mithali Raj at the top of the order to leave India struggling at 51 for four.
Raj who had come to the crease after the departure of Naik was involved in a 31-run stand with Raut, until Dar broke it. The rest of the line-up failed to build meaningful partnerships as India kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Jhulan Goswami (21) tried to put up a resistance, but did not get adequate support from the other end as India lost the game by one run.
Earlier, opting to bat first, Pakistan posted 98 runs for the loss of eight wickets. Although they lost Qanita Jalil early in the innings, captain Sana Mir and Nain Abidi added 22 runs for the second wicket, before Rasanara Parwin broke the partnership. The off-spinner first claimed Mir, and then picked the wicket of Bismah Maroof to leave the opposition on 46 for the loss of three wickets in the 12th over. The rest of the line-up, with the exception Asmavia Iqbal who made 10, failed to reach the double-digit mark. Goswami and Anuja Patil chipped in with two wickets apiece, while two batters were run-out as India kept Pakistan from reaching the three-figure mark.
Brief scores: Pakistan 98/9 in 20 overs beat (Sana Mir 26, Nain Abidi 25, R Parwin 2/15, A Patil 2/16, J Goswami 2/16) India 97/8 in 20 overs (J Goswami 21, P Raut 18, Nida Dar 3/12, Bismah Maroof 2/18) by 1 run
Man-of-the-Match: Nida Dar for claiming the Indian top-order and finishing with three for 12 runs off her four overs
