Jemimah Rodrigues’ unbeaten 53 off 38 balls guided India to a seven-wicket win over arch-rivals Pakistan in their opening game of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023.
Chasing 150 for victory, Rodrigues and Richa Ghosh (31* off 20) added 58 for the fourth wicket to steer India to the finish line.
Pakistan were eyeing a shocking victory, with India needing 28 from the final three overs. But the Green Team couldn’t hold their nerves at the death, and Women in Blue reached the set target with an over to spare.
Earlier, Pakistan posted the highest total in a T20 World Cup fixture after opting to bat first. Captain Bismah Maroof led from the front and scored 68 not out in 55 deliveries. She added an unbroken fifth wicket partnership of 81 runs with Ayesha Naseem (43* off 25) and took her team out of trouble.
Pakistan managed to score 58 in the last five overs, but the efforts of Maroof and Naseem still went in vain, as their start eventually hurt them.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
Excellent start for #TeamIndia! It was a tense chase but both @JemiRodrigues and @13richaghosh rose to the occasion and completed a marvelous victory. Well done and best wishes for the upcoming encounters. 👍@BCCIWomen #INDvPAK pic.twitter.com/2FoXcIGZvr
— Mithali Raj (@M_Raj03) February 12, 2023
Lovely to see Jemimah Rodrigues score such high quality runs. Lovely player❤️❤️
— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) February 12, 2023
WHAT A HISTORICAL WIN ..👊🇮🇳
The second highest successful tun chase in Women’s #T20WorldCup history.
Jemimah Rodrigues and Richa Ghosh were extra special in a thrilling run chase. Great start to the tournament, best wishes @BCCIWomen .#INDvsPAK#T20WorldCup2023 pic.twitter.com/53CvbZB0Cg— Dr Parthasarathi / डॉ पार्थसारथी / డా పార్థసారథి (@drparthabjp) February 12, 2023
Congrats to Team India(women's) & to Jemimah Rodrigues for her unbeaten 53 from 38 balls leading India to a seven-wicket win over rivals Pakistan in their opening Women's T20 World Cup thriller@JemiRodrigues #PKMKBForever @BCCIWomen #IndianCricketTeam #WomensCricket #INDvsPAK pic.twitter.com/dr85vz2dqH
— Dr Edmond Fernandes (@Edmondfernandes) February 12, 2023
And it’s a wrap! A remarkable run chase by the champions #WomenInBlue. Great innings by @JemiRodrigues , @TheShafaliVerma and @13richaghosh 👏🏻 👏🏻 to bring the team home 💯. On to the next one. Keep up the momentum girls! @BCCIWomen @BCCI #INDvPAK @T20WorldCup
— Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12) February 12, 2023
What A Knock From Jemimah to Seal the Match for India. Well played; you Deserved It. Congratulations India. Hard luck, Pakistan's poor bowling and Fieding in Death overs Cost us the match. But still very well Played Girls👏👏. #INDvsPAK pic.twitter.com/yoIcu6TuFm
— Shaharyar Ejaz 🏏 (@SharyOfficial) February 12, 2023
We won ❤️🌸 #teamindia #womencricket
#INDvsPAK pic.twitter.com/LqmFxEh6sZ— Gurpreet Saini (@GurpreetSaini_) February 12, 2023
India open their campaign with a thrilling win. #T20WorldCup #INDvPAK Scorecard: https://t.co/hrmq1ZIZs2 #CricketTwitter #WomenCricket pic.twitter.com/PIWocE0SVh
— WomenCricket.com (@WomenCricketHQ) February 12, 2023
A pressure chase in the opening game vs arch rivals, team India were put to the test today and they came out with flying colours! Well played @BCCIWomen 👊🏽🇮🇳 Superb partnership under pressure between @JemiRodrigues and @13richaghosh 👏🏽👏🏽 #INDvPAK pic.twitter.com/Bx0Tr4EZ4A
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) February 12, 2023
What a match! The energy and fighting spirit showcased by all the players was brilliant.
Congratulations #TeamIndia for an outstanding win.This has surely set the tone for a great tournament.
More power to you, girls! #INDvPAK #T20WorldCup @BCCIWomen pic.twitter.com/bifegXstz7— Jay Shah (@JayShah) February 12, 2023
