India vs Pakistan Women’s World Cup 2025 Match Report
The highly anticipated India vs Pakistan clash in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025, held at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, unfolded with great intensity and showcased the growing prowess of women’s cricket in the South Asian region. India secured a commanding 88-run victory over arch-rivals Pakistan, reinforcing their dominance and maintaining a flawless 12-0 head-to-head record in women’s one-day internationals against Pakistan.
Match Build-up and Context
The backdrop for this encounter was not just about cricket. Political tensions between the neighboring nations had recently escalated into a brief armed conflict in May 2025. This was clearly reflected in the conduct on the day, with no handshakes being exchanged by the captains at the toss or following the match, underscoring the strained relations. The match thus carried significance beyond the boundary line, symbolizing an intense rivalry with diplomatic undertones.
Toss and Playing Conditions
Pakistan won the toss and opted to field first on a surface that had been covered for two days due to persistent rainfall. The pitch was slow and slightly damp, favoring disciplined bowling and making run accumulation challenging. Despite these conditions, India’s batters aimed to set a competitive total to put pressure on Pakistan’s chase.
India’s Batting Effort 247/10 ( 50 Overs )
India’s innings was a laborious but ultimately effective effort, finishing with a total of 247 runs in their 50 overs. The innings lacked any large individual scores but was bolstered by useful contributions from multiple batters. Harleen Deol anchored with a 65-ball 46, providing stability as wickets fell at regular intervals. Jemimah Rodrigues supported with 32 runs off 37 balls, while Smriti Mandhana added 23 in a scratchy performance, reflecting how tricky the conditions were.
The late order provided the much-needed boost with Richa Ghosh shining brightly. Coming in at number eight, Ghosh’s aggressive 35 runs off 20 balls, including quick boundaries and sixes, lifted India to a defendable total. This late flourish was crucial in taking the team past the 240-run mark on a pitch that had become more difficult to score on.
Pakistan’s Bowling
Pakistan’s bowling was spirited, with the disciplined bowling of Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, and Sadia Iqbal restricting India under pressure at various stages. They leveraged the slow pitch and moisture to challenge India’s batters, forcing them into cautious play. Several misfields and dropped catches by Pakistan, however, blunted their efforts, allowing India to reach a competitive total.
Pakistan’s Chase and Struggles 159/10 (443 Overs)
Chasing 248 on a slow pitch against a strong bowling attack, Pakistan’s innings was always going to be challenging. The Indian pacers—Kranti Gaud, Renuka Singh, and Sneh Rana—exerted relentless pressure from the start.
Kranti Gaud was the standout bowler, capturing three crucial wickets for just 20 runs in 10 overs, dismantling Pakistan’s top and middle order. Deepti Sharma and Sneh Rana were instrumental as well, picking up three and two wickets respectively, never allowing Pakistan to settle.
Sidra Amin was Pakistan’s lone warrior, playing a gritty and mature innings of 81 runs off 106 balls, trying to anchor the chase amidst regular wickets falling around her. Natalia Pervaiz formed a valuable partnership with Amin, scoring 33 runs, but once she was dismissed, the pressure increased drastically on Amin.
Pakistan soon found themselves in deep trouble, losing wickets at regular intervals, and were eventually bowled out for 159 runs in 43 overs. A bizarre run-out of opener Muneeba Ali added to Pakistan’s woes, further disrupting their chase.
Fielding and Other Notable Moments
The match was punctuated by interruptions, including a delay caused by a sudden rise in bugs on the ground, which led to temporary play stoppages. The fielding by both teams was intense, with some brilliant catches from the Indian side and sharp direct hits including the one from Harmanpreet Kaur that resulted in Diana Baig’s run-out.
Post-Match Reflection
India’s victory solidifies their status as the dominant force in South Asian women’s cricket, taking their head-to-head record against Pakistan to an unbeaten 12-0 in ODIs. The performance highlighted India’s strong bowling lineup and depth in the batting order.
The match also reflected the challenges Pakistan faces in competing against cricket powerhouses on neutral grounds, though Sidra Amin’s innings showed promise for the future. Both teams will look to improve as the tournament progresses.
Significance Beyond Cricket
The political tension between the two countries was palpable on the field, evident from the absence of the customary handshake and cordial exchanges. This cricket clash acted as a microcosm of the broader strained ties between the nations. For the players, despite the off-field tension, the match was a fiercely fought sporting contest that emphasized skill, planning, and mental toughness.
Conclusion
The 2025 Women’s World Cup India vs Pakistan match was a landmark event in terms of both sporting achievement and socio-political context. India’s comprehensive all-round performance delivered an 88-run victory, yet the day belonged to the spirit and resilience of women cricketers from both sides. Fans and analysts will look back at this as a compelling chapter in the history of women’s cricket in South Asia, showcasing the sport’s growing passion, talent, and significance in the region.