Ekta Bisht's fifer against Pakistan (Source: @tiwarymanoj/x.com)
Since its inception, cricket has been far more than a contest between bat and ball. It’s a stirring blend of skill, emotion, and national pride, woven deeply into the fabric of life. While the game has already captured hearts, rivalries are that magical spice that makes the clashes unmissable.
For the past, many rivalries have come and gone, but a few have stayed with royalty, and the frontrunner is still the timeless India-Pakistan rivalry. The intensity isn’t limited to men’s cricket; in women’s cricket, the Tigresses bring the same fierce passion, turning every encounter into a high-stakes spectacle.
The 2017 Women’s World Cup saw India Women’s dominance on the big stage. As Harmanpreet Kaur’s unbeaten 171 against Australia is an iconic chapter, but Ekta Bisht’s outstanding fifer against Pakistan truly crushed the arch-rivals’ hopes of a maiden ODI win over the Women in Blue. Let’s relive Ekta’s unforgettable heroics in the grand match.
India vs Pakistan rivalry ignites the Women's World Cup stage
As the thrills of the IND-PAK rivalry in men’s cricket are famous as fans wait to see the face-offs like Virat Kohli vs Haris Rauf or Babar Azam vs Kuldeep Yadav. But the thrill isn’t limited to men’s cricket; India Women and Pakistan Women have delivered equally electrifying dramas on the field. Meeting across multiple ICC events, their encounters consistently captivate fans, proving that the fierce rivalry transcends gender and generations.
Facing the 50-over format for the very first time in 2005, the seed of the classic rivalry was sown, and the little seed has become a full-grown tree now. Despite countless encounters, Pakistan Women are yet to claim their first ODI victory over the Women in Blue. The 2017 Women’s World Cup offered another chance for glory, but Ekta Bisht’s sensational performance once again turned the tide in India’s favor, leaving fans in awe of her heroics.
Bisht’s sensational fifer crushes Pakistan’s hopes
As Team India was grabbing attention on the grand stage of the 2017 World Cup, the 11th clash of the high-voltage clash was unveiled as an unmissable clash. As the India Women faced the Pakistan Women in Derby, another thrilling chapter was added to the India-Pakistan rivalry.
As the Women in Green were chasing a target of 170 runs, Ekta Bisht appeared as a true nightmare. As Ayesha Zafar came to open the innings with Nahida Khan, Bisht marked the first blood after dismissing Zafar in the second over.
Coming back to bowl in the 6th over, Pakistan was already suffering, and the Indian bowler just deepened the blow. She first sent Sidra Nawaz back for a duck and then, just two overs later, dismissed Iram Javed without scoring, leaving Pakistan reeling under relentless pressure.
Securing a sensational four-wicket haul after dismissing Nashra Sandhu, the one final shot from Ekta Bisht shattered their dream of outshining India. On the very next delivery, she sent Diana Baig packing, sealing a sensational spell of 5/18 in a World Cup clash and crushing Pakistan’s dream of a maiden ODI victory over India.
A new chance arises: Pakistan’s first win or India’s unbroken reign?
It's been twenty long years since their first face-off in the Women’s ODI, and Pakistan Women are still searching for their maiden win in the format. In eleven face-offs in the 50-over format, Team India secured all the victories, and Pakistan Women faced setbacks. As the next face-off approaches, this unbroken streak continues to turn heads and raise questions ahead of the battle.
But each new chapter comes with fresh chances, and the upcoming IND vs PAK clash can be a fresh chance for the Women in Green to rewrite history. After India Women started the tournament with a massive victory and Pakistan Women faced a heartbreaking defeat in the last match, it will be interesting to see will India Women keep their dominance alive or Pakistan Women register their maiden ODI triumph over the arch rivals.
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