Welcome back for the chase. The two umpires and players have made their way out to the centre. No changes up top for India as they stick with Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana. Pakistan are starting with spin in the form of Sadia Iqbal. Verma is on strike. There is a slip in place. Let's go...
Over to the chase - Just four overs of pace were used, as the damage was done almost entirely by the spinners. The wickets were shared around, with Prema Rawat and Sree Charani picking up three apiece, while Shafali Verma and Deepti Sharma also chipped in to keep the pressure firmly on Pakistan. Mithali Raj reckons on air that if Shafali Verma gets her eye in, India could finish the chase inside six overs. Anjum Chopra, however, has a different perspective and would like Pratika Rawal to open and give herself some time in the middle. All Pakistan can do now is make the chase as difficult as possible for their rivals and take away some positives from the game.
Let's hear from Sree Charani - She credits her success to simply sticking to her strengths. She explains that the coaches have been encouraging all the bowlers to bowl to their strengths and put more revs on the ball. When she is asked if she's been working on anything specific, she shares there wasn't much beyond focusing on hitting the stumps consistently. On variations, she reveals that she has been trying to bring more consistency to her arm balls while also working on her yorkers. And when asked about a special celebration for her 50th wicket, she smiles it off, admitting she hasn't given it much thought, though she might get around to celebrating it later.
No answer to India's spin - It was a 27-run opening stand up top, and that was as good as it got for Pakistan. Even during that partnership, Muneeba Ali was handed a couple of reprieves, while Shawaal Zulfiqar showed some promise with a couple of boundaries. Once India broke the opening stand, it was a procession from there as the Indian spinners spun a web around the Pakistan batters. Pakistan did not help their cause by going against the turn, and even those who came down the order failed to make that adjustment after seeing the earlier dismissals. No rescue act followed, and no meaningful partnership developed as the wickets kept tumbling.
An unwanted low for Pakistan - In their 200th T20I, they have been bowled out for 55, their lowest total in the format. Only twice have captains opted to bat first in this tournament, and both times it has been Fatima Sana who has done so. Unfortunately for Pakistan, it has all gone wrong tonight. A job well done by India, and they walk off as a proud bunch.
W
Overs18.1
Score55 - 10
Deepti Sharma to Tuba Hassan, OUT! STUMPED OUT! Adroitly done by Richa Ghosh and that's that. Pakistan Women are bowled out for 55, which is now their lowest-ever T20I total. Tuba shows her cards early, charging down the track, but Deepti spots it in time and fires one in full and on the leg stump line. It cramps Hassan completely as she swipes across the line, and the ball sneaks through the yawning gap between bat and pad. Richa Ghosh goes low to her left behind the stumps, collects the ball cleanly behind the stumps but she is a bit late to break the stumps. The Indians are already celebrating but the on-field umpires want to have a second look at that. Replays confirm Hassan is well short of her ground when the bails are dislodged. Deepti finishes with a couple of wickets to her name, and India Women have made light work of their rivals with the ball.
W
Overs16.3
Score54 - 9
Prema Rawat to Nashra Sundhu, OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Another one bites the dust. Full and outside off, a leg break that drifts away late. Sundhu presses forward and looks to drive, but gets only the faintest of edges through to the keeper, and Ghosh does brilliantly to snap up a low one behind the stumps. There's an appeal for caught behind and up goes the finger almost instantly. Sundhu walks back without troubling the scorers.
0
Overs15.6
Score53 - 8
Shafali Verma to Nashra Sundhu, Huge mix-up again between the batters, but this time, the danger is averted. Short and on middle, this is nudged across between mid-wicket and square leg. Sandhu wanted a single but was sent back as the fielder was quick to get around and stop the ball.
1
Overs15.4
Score53 - 8
Shafali Verma to Tuba Hassan, What happened there? Short and around middle, and Tuba hits it firmly back down the ground. Shafali, while following through, tries to flick the ball behind onto the stumps but gets it all wrong, and the umpire has to hop out of the firing line as the ball scurries away to long off for a single.
4
Overs15.3
Score52 - 8
Shafali Verma to Tuba Hassan, FOUR! A boundary amid the drought for Pakistan. 50 UP FOR PAKISTAN WOMEN! Plenty of width on offer, short and outside off. Tuba Hassan hangs deep inside the crease and forces it through extra cover. Three fielders sprint towards the ball and it is the long off fielder who runs to her left and tries to flick the ball in but her effort goes in vain.
W
Overs14.4
Score48 - 8
Prema Rawat to Umm-e-Hani, OUT! CAUGHT BY NANDANI! Going from bad to worse now for Pakistan. Prema lands it in front of the stumps, on a fuller length. She gives it a good flight and the ball dips on the batter. Umm-e-Hani is a tad early into her sweep shot, looking to play against the turn. Manages a thick top edge and Nandani Sharma makes no mistake at short fine leg. Pakistan Women are 48/8 and there are at a scare of being bowled out even before 50.
Is Eyman Fatima run out at the bowler's end? Deepti fumbles to collect the throw on her first attempt, but shows quick presence of mind to gather it on the second and whip the bails off in one motion. On the side-on replay, Eyman's bat appears to be in the air right as the stumps are broken. OUT loads on the giant screen and that only multiplies Pakistan's increasing troubles in this game.
