With an unbeaten century against archrivals Pakistan, skipper Mithali Raj led India women to a six-wicket in the seventh place play-off of the 2013 ICC Women’s World Cup.
Earlier, upon opting to bat first at the Barabati Stadium, Pakistan were restricted to 192. After Pacer Jhulan Goswami got the ball rolling with the wicket of Pakistan opener Nahida Khan in the third over, the visitors were tottering on 60 for the loss of four. Nain Abidi and Nida Dar then salvaged the innings with an 80-run partnership, until the former was dismissed. Goswami claimed the No.3 bat for 58, while Dar continued to anchor the innings to take Pakistan through their allotted fifty overs for the loss of seven wickets. Goswami finished with two wickets and N Niranjana claimed three scalps in the innings.
Chasing 193, India lost Poonam Raut with just eight runs on the board. However, Raj, who replaced her at the crease, helped chase down the target with 24 balls to spare.
Remaining unbeaten on 103, she anchored the innings and was involved in 43 and 49-run stands with M Thirush Kamini and Harmanpreet Kaur respectively. These partnerships helped take the team closer to the total. And finally, her unbroken 87-run stand with Reema Malhotra took India across the line.
Brief scores: Pakistan 192/7 in 50 overs (Nida Dar 68*, N Abidi 58, N Niranjana 3/35, J Goswami 2/17) lost to India 195/4 in 46 overs (M Raj 103*, R Malhotra 25*) by 6 wickets
