Colombo, Sri lanka: In a high-stakes showdown at the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, Pakistan Women faced India Women at the R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo, where Diana Baig etched her name into the record books by claiming her 100th international wicket with a stellar four-fer. Despite her heroics and a gritty 81 from Sidra Amin, Pakistan fell 88 runs short of India’s 247-run target, marking a bittersweet moment in their campaign on October 5, 2025. This clash, pulsating with intensity, showcased Pakistan’s resilience and India’s clinical edge, setting the stage for an enthralling tournament.
Pakistan’s Bowling Prowess
Opting to bowl first after winning the toss, Pakistan’s captain Fatima Sana set the tone by dismissing India’s star opener Smriti Mandhana leg-before-wicket early in the innings. Sadia Iqbal followed suit, removing Pratika Rawal (31 off 37) to leave India at 67/2. The spotlight, however, belonged to Diana Baig, who struck a monumental blow by dismissing Harmanpreet Kaur (19 off 34) in the 25th over, caught behind, as India reached 106/3. Baig’s fiery spell continued, finishing with figures of 10-1-69-4, including her landmark 100th wicket, cementing her status as a cornerstone of Pakistan’s bowling attack.
India’s innings was anchored by Harleen Deol’s composed 46 off 65 balls, with late flourishes from Richa Ghosh (35* off 20, 3x4s, 2x6s), Jemimah Rodrigues (32 off 37), and Deepti Sharma (25 off 33). Despite losing their last seven wickets for 96 runs, India posted a formidable 247, a total that challenged Pakistan’s batting depth. Fatima Sana and Sadia Iqbal complemented Baig’s efforts, each claiming two wickets to keep India’s scoring in check.
Sidra Amin’s Lone Battle in Pakistan’s Chase
Chasing 248, Pakistan’s hopes hinged on opener Sidra Amin, who delivered a masterful 81, studded with nine fours and a six, marking her 13th ODI half-century. Coming in during the fifth over, Amin’s resilient knock included a crucial 69-run partnership with Natalia Parvaiz (33 off 46) for the fourth wicket and a 41-run stand with Sidra Nawaz (14 off 22) for the sixth. However, the chase unraveled as Pakistan were bowled out for 159 in 43 overs, with 42 balls unused.
India’s bowling attack, led by player-of-the-match Kranti Goud and Deepti Sharma, each with three wickets, proved too potent. Goud’s 3-20 and Sharma’s 3-45 dismantled Pakistan’s middle order, while Sneh Rana’s 2-38 added pressure, ensuring India’s 88-run victory.
Diana Baig’s milestone was a silver lining for Pakistan, highlighting her growth as a premier fast bowler. Sidra Amin’s gritty 81 underscored her importance as a batting mainstay, but the lack of support from the rest of the lineup exposed vulnerabilities that Pakistan must address. India, meanwhile, showcased their all-round depth, with contributions across batting and bowling securing a comprehensive win.
As Pakistan look to regroup, their next fixture on October 8, 2025, at the same venue offers a chance to bounce back. With Baig in fine form and Amin’s bat firing, Pakistan will aim to tighten their batting strategy and capitalize on their bowling strengths to keep their World Cup hopes alive.
This match highlighted standout performances from Diana Baig and Sidra Amin, while India’s Kranti Goud emerged as a game-changer. Fans can expect Pakistan to refine their approach in their upcoming clash, with Baig’s pace and Amin’s consistency likely to be focal points.
Match Summary
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India Women: 247 all out (50 overs) – Harleen Deol 46, Richa Ghosh 35*, Jemimah Rodrigues 32; Diana Baig 4-69
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Pakistan Women: 159 all out (43 overs) – Sidra Amin 81, Natalia Parvaiz 33; Kranti Goud 3-20
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Player of the Match: Kranti Goud (India)
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Next Fixture: Pakistan vs TBD, October 8, 2025, R Premadasa Stadium
