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Smriti Mandhana extends poor World Cup run as Pakistan captain gets India mainstay

Debashis Sarangi

Smriti Mandhana was dismissed for 23 runs vs PAK [Source: AFP]Smriti Mandhana was dismissed for 23 runs vs PAK [Source: AFP]

Smriti Mandhana registered another low score in the Women's World Cup as Fatima Sana got her prized scalp in the ongoing encounter between India and Pakistan at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Opening the batting for India Women, Mandhana managed only 23 runs before Sana trapped her plumb in front of the stumps. 

After Pakistan won the toss and elected to bowl first, Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal ensured a solid start for India. While Rawal frustrated the Pakistani bowlers with her scintillating stroke play, Mandhana took her time and looked confident until Fatima Sana's ripper took her off guard. 

How did Fatima Sana outfox Smriti Mandhana?

From over the wicket, Fatima Sana bowled a good-length delivery that jagged back sharply into Mandhana after pitching around the middle stump. As the southpaw went for a flick, the ball beat the inside edge of her bat, hitting her on her front leg. 

As the Pakistani bowlers appealed for a leg before, the umpire raised her finger, forcing Mandhana to make her way back to the hut. Although she went upstairs and challenged the decision, the TV umpire upheld the on-field call, with the HawkEye predicting three reds in replay. 

Mandhana's disappointing run continues in Women's WC

This is Smriti Mandhana's second consecutive failure in the ongoing Women's World Cup edition. Earlier, she was dismissed for just eight runs in India Women's tournament opener against their Sri Lankan counterparts. Interestingly, this is the second consecutive occasion when Mandhana lost her wicket to a fast bowler in the showpiece event. Left-arm pacer Udeshika Prabodhani got her prized scalp, as she found her caught at the deep in the previous match. 

India lose Pratika Rawal after Mandhana's dismissal

Soon after Smriti Mandhana's dismissal, her opening partner Pratika Rawal was castled by Sadia Iqbal. The in-form right-handed batter smashed five glorious boundaries, scoring 31 runs off 37 deliveries. As of writing, India Women were 72 for two in 15.4 overs, with Harleen Deol and Harmanpreet Kaur batting on 13* and 4*, respectively.