Putting the heartbreaking defeat in the tournament opener against Australia on Friday (July 29) behind them, the Indian women’s cricket team has put itself in pole position to qualify for the semi-final of the 2022 Commonwealth Games (CWG). The Harmanpreet Kaur-led side defeated the Women in Green by eight wickets to record a thumping victory on Sunday (July 31) at the Edgbaston Cricket Ground in Birmingham.

After a lengthy rain delay, the match was postponed by almost an hour and reduced to an 18-over contest. After winning the toss, Pakistan elected to bat but managed to post a score of just 99 on board. Indian spinners Sneh Rana and Radha Yadav took two wickets each. The Women in Blue chased down the total with ease with 38 balls to spare. Vice-captain Smriti Mandhana led the way with an unbeaten knock of 63 in 42 balls.