Dubai: Harmanpreet Kaur’s India eased to a six-wicket win over neighbours Pakistan in a high-profile encounter at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, reaching their target of 105 with seven balls to spare.
The result gets India on the board in the tournament after a disappointing result in their opening game, when New Zealand inflicted a heavy defeat, winning by 58 runs in Dubai.
However, India’s run rate remains in the negative numbers due to the nature of the loss to the White Ferns in their opening match, with the NRR currently at -1.217.
Following the drinks break during the modest chase against Pakistan there seemed to be a brief increase in tempo before Shafali Verma was out for 32.
India’s players say they were well aware that the chase represented a chance to improve their net run rate, but that making sure they won the game on a difficult surface was the priority at the start of their batting effort, an ICC report said.
“We were thinking about it, but Shafali and I weren't able to time it well,” opening batter Smriti Mandhana said in her on-field interview after the game.
“We didn't want to get to a place where we were chasing the game, but NRR was in our heads," she said.
“This game will give us some momentum, and hopefully, we can keep going in this tournament,” Mandhana said.
The issue of NRR was also raised in India post-match press conference, where Player of the Match Arundhati Reddy spoke to journalists.
“We understand net run rate is important, but also winning the game is all the more important for us,” Reddy said.
“Like you said again, net run rate will be in play especially in this group," she said.
“Honestly today the wicket was playing a little slower. So obviously, the batters could not. The main thing was to finish the game," Reddy said.
“But we've discussed it, and we're looking forward to improve on it in the next few games,” she added.
India play Sri Lanka in their next match, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on October 9, where they will be targeting a big victory.
Harmanpreet Kaur’s side face defending champions Australia in their final Group A game on October 13 in Sharjah.
