INDW vs PAKW, Women's T20 World Cup, Highlights: Rodrigues, Ghosh power India to 7-wicket win

And India have won!! A memorable batting performance from the Indians to chase a record target against Pakistan. Rodrigues hits the final boundary and gets to a fifty as she punches the air in delight. This was all set by Jemimah Rodrigues and powered by Richa Ghosh as India win by 7 wickets with one over to go. Pakistan made their highest T20I total vs India, which was answered well by the Indians. Earlier, Shafali Verma made a 33 to give India crucial momentum. Pakistan chipped with wickets as things spiced up but Rodrigues and Ghosh came to the rescue. Rodrigiues finished at 53 off 38 balls, while Ghosh got a 20-ball 31. Pakistan were good with the bat but were outclassed in the bowling. India shall up their bowling a bit. But this was a great game of cricket and Indians would be cheered up with this sort of outcome. It was pleasure bringing this to you. I, Varun Malik, sign off. See you soon.

It's 14 needed off 12 now as Ghosh has found a 14-run over. India shall get this now.

Richa Ghosh has hit two fours and is the aggressor. She is taking it away from Pakistan.

28 runs are needed of the final 18 balls. Can be anyone's game. 

Things are getting really tight. Required rate is around 10 and Richa has just survived an LBW scare. Can Rodrigues and Richa get India over the line?

So 47 are needed off the final 30 balls as Rodrigues and Richa are out in middle.

Nashra has got the prized wicket of Indian captain Harmanpreet. This was a fuller one and slow as Kaur wanted to sweep but gets a top edge, which was easily taken at short third man. 

Harmanpreet and Rodrigues are leading India's charge and required rate in under 8. India should believe. 

Sidra Ameen takes a brilliant catch to dismiss in-form Shafali Verma putting India in a difficult situation

That was a 7 bowl over for some reason. Rodrigues capitalises and hits a four to India cross 50.

Pakistan have found the first wicket in the 6th over as India ended the powerplay at 43/1. Yastika was caught at extra covers as she could not get the elevation. Shafali Verma is leading India well and is scoring about 150 SR. Jemimah has joined Shafali.

Shafali was given out LBW in the fourth over but she reviewed it. Ball tracking showed it was missing leg stumps and Verma survives. Relief for India.

It's not been a flier but it has been a decent start for India. 21 runs in the first 3 overs and Yastika has been the aggressor. She and her partner need to carry on this.

The powerplay is going to be very crucial if India have to make a strong statement.

The Indian openers- Yastika and Shafali are out in the middle. India need a good start to chase this. Here we go!

Pakistan have registered their highest total vs India in a T20I game. This was clinical performance by Bismah's team. They finish at 149 as India women need 150 runs to beat Pakistan and start with a win in the World Cup. Ayesha was superb with the bat, while Bismah played a proper captain's knock by anchoring the innings. For India, Radha Yadav was the pick of the bowlers as she took 2 wickets at 5.20 economyThis chase is not going to be easy as the pitch is likely to slow down more. Back with the chase!

And Radha Yadav has dropped the hitter Ayesha. This was not timed well and it hung in the air for a long but Yadav, who has been so good in fielding so far, drops this.

The Pakistan pair of Ayesh and Bismah is turning things in their favour. Bismah has hit a fifty and has anchored the innings. Meanwhile, Ayesha is going all guns blazing. Their partnership is over 50 and India need a wicket. Note, India are 2 overs behind and one fielder has come in the 19th over.

Ayesha is going strong and has sent Renuka to a four and a six in the 16th over. Pakistan are over 100 now and she is looking dangerous. India need to get her.

A wonderful battle going on between Vastrakar and Ayesha. The Pakistani batter, who loves pace has hit one four down the ground, while the Indian has deceived her with a slower one. Interesting to see.

Radha Yadav has struck once again as Sidra Ameen has been done by pace. This was on a good length as the batter took the position to reverse sweep way too early. Ball came late as she top-edged to the keeper.

Pakistan are losing way now. They were going well till the first powerplay but a loss of 2 more wickets has made them stand at 48/3 after 10 overs. India have made a good comeback.

Pooja Vastrakar sends back the dangerous Nida Dar and it's a double blow for Pakistan. Two back-to-back wickets can just overturn their good work. 

Radha Yadav strikes and sends back Muneeba. A crucial and timely wicket for India as the partnership was growing. 

Pakistan have made an expressive start in the match. India have taken the wicket of Javeria but Bismah and Muneeba are going well.

Pakistan Women have made an expressive start here. She has hit three boundaries already. 

Deepti Sharma gets the first wicket of the match. Javeria has been caught at short fine leg by Harmanpreet as she looked to pull behind but has got no elevation. She was trying to play expressive cricket with some scoop and reverse sweep shots but not this time.

Pakistan openers are out in the middle as the proceedings begin. Javeria Khan, and Muneeba Ali to start for Pakistan as Renuka has the ball in hand. here we go!

Anthems time in Newlands. Pakistan's anthem to go first, followed by India's.

The pitch is expected to stay similar to what it was during the previous game between Sri Lanka and South Africa. There are big cracks throughout the 22 yards and can be two-paced too. Chasing is being said more difficult today.

Shafali Verma, Yastika Bhatia, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harleen Deol, Harmanpreet Kaur(c), Richa Ghosh(w), Deepti Sharma, Pooja Vastrakar, Radha Yadav, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Renuka Thakur Singh

Javeria Khan, Muneeba Ali(w), Bismah Maroof(c), Nida Dar, Sidra Ameen, Aliya Riaz, Ayesha Naseem, Fatima Sana, Aiman Anwer, Nashra Sandhu, Sadia Iqbal

Pakistan have won the toss and have opted to bat first. Smriti Mandhana sits out as she is injured. It was confirmed by stand-in coach yesterday that she 'will not play most likely' in the first game. India have huge depth in batting.

These are exciting times for Women's cricket in India. There is an auction coming up in the first-ever Women's Premier League, just one day after this match. You would expect lots of butterflies but Indian women are focused on this game only. 

The weather at the venue is expected to have a cloud cover of about 22% and humidity can be around 56% to 73%. More on weather

The pitch at Newlands generally assists the spinners but average scores at the venue are around 150. More on pitch report from Aachal Maniyar

this is what dreams are made of. Every Indian cricketer wishes to represent his/her country and to be part of the team on a grand stage is nothing less than goosebumps. India U-19 Women's team cricket recently clinched the historic U-19 World Cup and the senior girls have the chance to do it now. Hello and Welcome to the Live coverage of India's first match in the Women's T20 World Cup 2023. It's India vs Pakistan in the World Cup. Harmanpreet's India will step on the field after playing in a Women's Tri-series in South Africa while Pakistan are here after playing a multi-format limited-overs' tour of Australia. India face injury issues as Smriti Mandhan is all but ruled out of the first game. India are a stronger side as compared to Pakistan and have great records against them but the later stunned India in the Women's Asia Cup 2022. This shall be a good contest to watch. So, grab some snacks and stay tuned as I, Varun Malik, take you across this match.