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Indian women claim a cautious 6-wicket win against arch-rivals Pakistan in the T20 World Cup

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — India fought cautiously to a six-wicket win over arch-rivals Pakistan and the West Indies easily defeated Scotland in the Women’s T20 World Cup on Sunday.

Oppressed by fast bowler Arundhati Reddy (3-19) and off-spinner Shreyanka Patil (2-12), Pakistan scored a modest 105-8 with Nida Dar in their 20 overs on a slow cricket wicket at the Dubai International Stadium at the top – scoring 28 from 34 balls.

India, who lost their first Group A game to New Zealand by 58 runs, reached 108-4 in 18.5 overs as captain Harmanpreet Kaur managed a calm 29 off 24 balls before retiring late in the chase due to injury.

With only two runs needed for victory, Kaur briefly lost his balance but regained ground when wicketkeeper Muneeba Ali missed a chance to overtake. Kaur clutched her neck as she walked back to the dugout before Sajeevan Sajana reached the target with a boundary.

Despite the win, India are still fourth in the group with a poor net run rate of minus 1.217 behind third-placed Pakistan, who beat Sri Lanka in their opening game and have a net run rate of 0.555. New Zealand and Australia occupy the top two spots after winning their respective opening group games.

India had pipped Pakistan to 7-71 in the 15th over despite Asha Sobhana dropping two easy catches to Muneeba Ali (17) and captain Fatima Sana (13). Muneeba’s arduous knock of 26 balls finally ended when she was bowled over by Patil’s wide ball.

Sana broke two boundaries but was caught brilliantly by wicketkeeper Richa Gosh, who took a one-handed catch over her head behind the wicket to give leg-spinner Sobhana (1-24) some consolation for her early error in the field.

Dar held the innings together in the death overs with a 28-run partnership with Syeda Aroob Shah, who scored 14, before Reddy gifted Dar a flawless delivery in the final over.

India’s batting force was overly cautious against Pakistan’s spin-heavy bowling attack. Shafali Verma, who top-scored with 32 off 35 balls, successfully bowled a leg against her through a televised instruction before the wicket decision at the start of her bat, but India’s top batters hit just five boundaries in their entire chase.

Sana (2-23) took two late wickets on successive balls when Jemimah Rodrigues (23) and Gosh were both behind. Sana almost had Deepti Sharma lbw in her final over but the on-field decision was overturned by the third umpire when television replays suggested the batsman had received a thick inside edge.

WEST INDIES BEATS SCOTLAND

Scotland, taking part in the Women’s T20 World Cup for the first time, elected to bat first against the West Indies in a Group B match, with both teams seeking their first win of the tournament.

Leg-spinner Afy Fletcher grabbed 3-22 and Qiana Joseph scored a quick 31 from 18 balls to secure the six-wicket win for West Indies with 50 balls remaining.

Fletcher’s brilliant performance in the middle overs saw the 37-year-old take the wickets of batters Alisa Lister (26) and captain Kathryn Bryce (25) as Scotland maintained a score of 99-8 in their 20 overs.

West Indies reached 101-4 in just 11.4 overs, overcoming the 10-wicket defeat against South Africa in the first game. Joseph’s whirlwind burst resulted in a 77-yard six.

Deandra Dottin, who came out of retirement after two years in the tournament, hit an unbeaten 28 off 15 balls after Joseph was caught brilliantly by Priyanaz Chatterji.

Scotland’s Olivia Bell (2-18) made a stunning low return catch and released Shemaine Campbelle to make it 2-0.

West Indies top Group B in net run rate. Scotland are last in the group of five.

The Associated Press contributed to this article.