De Klerk hit an unbeaten 84 off just 54 balls to power South Africa home in their chase of 252.

It had looked unlikely when India reduced their opponents to 81 for 5 inside 20 overs but impressive innings from captain Laura Wolvaardt (70), Chloe Tryon (49), and De Klerk completed a thrilling run chase.

India looked well-placed for victory having set South Africa 252 to win, with Richa Ghosh top-scoring with 94.

But it ultimately proved not enough as the hosts fell to their first defeat of the tournament.

Ghosh leads India

After a delay to the start, South Africa put India into bat, but the hosts made good headway and emerged from the powerplay unscathed.

However, Nonkululeko Mlaba’s arrival into the attack saw her continue her fine form with a wicket from her second ball as Smriti Mandhana departed for 23.

Things got even better for Mlaba, as she bowled Harleen Deol with a beautiful turning delivery to leave India 83 for two in the 17th over.

Pratika Rawal was not able to reap the rewards her patient work had set up for her as she was caught on 37 for Tumi Sekhukhune’s first World Cup wicket.

Five balls later, Jemimah Rodrigues was given out LBW off Chloe Tryon to see India slip to 92 for four, and they were plunged deeper into trouble when captain Harmanpreet Kaur became Tryon’s second wicket.

Then, as Deepti Sharma returned to the dugout, India had lost four wickets for just 19 runs and with Kapp having claimed a dismissal, South Africa were fully fired up.

Ghosh led the rebuild for India before playing calmly before unleashing a 75m six to tip the momentum her way, only for Tryon to get her third wicket as Amanjot Kaur rushed a shot and was caught by Sune Luus, to end the partnership at 51 runs.

The right-hander remained at the crease as she powered her way to her first World Cup fifty, coming in 53 balls and then she and Sneh Rana chose the 47th over to go nuclear, taking 19 from Ayabonga Khaka.

The pressure was telling on South as Ghosh was dropped on 76 and 84, and relief finally came with an easy catch for Wolvaardt to dismiss Rana for 33 from 24 and end an 88-run stand.

Ghosh fell six runs short of her maiden ODI century, but her 94 runs from 77 brought India back from the brink in stunning fashion as they posted 252.

Wolvaardt’s effort in vain

South Africa started slowly but were rocked when Tamzin Brits, fresh from a hundred, was out for a duck, with Luus, having made 83 not out in the previous match, was caught behind for five to leave the Proteas 18 for two.

Wolvaardt and Kapp moved into a position of control, but the latter’s good work was undone by a peach from Rana as she went for 20.

Another quick wicket fell as Deepti Sharma became the second India bowler to take a caught and bowled to dismiss Anneke Bosch.

South Africa were now losing regular wickets as Sinalo Jafta went for 14 as Wolvaardt searched for a partner.

The captain reached her 50 from 81 balls, but the Proteas were unable to throw caution to the wind and move ahead of the run rate.

Eventually, Wolvaardt had to go for 70 from 111 balls as Gaud got her second and ended the partnership of 61.

Chloe Tryon and Nadine de Klerk picked up the mantle and pushed South Africa towards their target before Tryon fell for 49, trapped leg before by Rana.

But that did not stop De Klerk, who continued to let rip from the crease alongside Ayabonga Khaka.

De Klerk hit back-to-back sixes, plus a four, off Gaud in the 47^th over to tip the balance in South Africa’s favour before sealing victory with a six – the fifth of an outstanding innings that clinched the game for her side with just seven balls in hand.

India v South Africa – Dr Y.S Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam, India

India 251 all out in 49.5 overs (Richa Ghosh 94, Pratika Rawal 37; Chloe Tryon 3/32, Marizanne Kapp 2/45)

South Africa 252/7 in 48.5 overs (Nadine de Klerk 84 not out, Wolvaardt 71; Sneh Rana 2/47, Kranti Gaud 2/59)

Result: South Africa won by three wickets

Voted for by a combination of the public and a panel of experts, the successful individuals for the opening month of the campaign are as follows.

.Aggie Beever-Jones (Photo by Chris Lee – Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)

Firstly, Chelsea’s Aggie Beever-Jones has been named as Player of the Month after enjoying an impressive September for the London outfit.

Scoring the opening goal in every one of Chelsea’s games last month, the forward netted against Manchester City (2-1), Aston Villa (3-1), Leicester City (1-0) and West Ham United (4-0), with the latter effort also a contender for Goal of the Month.

The 22-year-old saw off the challenge of Aoba Fujino, Alessia Russo, Anna Sandberg, Maisie Symonds and Cathinka Tandberg to take the first monthly player award of the new season.

Sonia Bompastor. (Photo by Chris Lee – Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)

Manager of the Month meanwhile has been awarded to Beever-Jones’ coach, Sonia Bompastor.

The Chelsea boss led the Blues to four victories in September, with her side scoring ten times and conceding just twice to top the table at the end of the month.

Tottenham Hotspur’s Martin Ho, Manchester City’s Andrée Jeglertz and Manchester United’s Marc Skinner were also in contention following their teams’ own impressive starts to the campaign.

Finally, Arsenal’s Olivia Smith’s strike against London City Lionesses has been voted as Goal of the Month for September.

Her opening day effort in a 4-1 win over the league newcomers came out on top in the voting polls having been pitted against goals from Ornella Vignola, Ebony Salmon, Cathinka Tandberg, Jayde Riviere, Rosa Kafaji, Hinata Miyazawa, Aggie Beever-Jones and Olivia Holdt.

With thanks to the FA

Mooney batted Australia out of a hole having been reduced to 76 for seven in the 22nd over and she was ably supported by Alana King.

The pace bowlers quickly took control of Pakistan’s chase before spin dealt with the bottom order to secure an eventually comfortable win.

Mooney to the rescue

Skipper Alyssa Healy batted herself into a decent position but was left frustrated after sending a simple catch to Diana Baig to see her depart for 20 from 23.

Phoebe Litchfield fell three balls later and the wobble was firmly on as Ellyse Perry, Annabel Sutherland and Ashleigh Gardner all departed for low single figures.

Nashra Sandhu (3/37) and Rameen Shamim (2/29) shared the wickets of that trio and picked up the next two between them as Pakistan turned the screw with eyes on a first-ever win over Australia.

Tahlia McGrath fell for five before Georgia Wareham departed for a duck as the spin twins were both economical and effective.

At 76 for seven, Australia desperately needed someone to stick with Mooney, who after coming in at No.4 was masterfully rotating the strike and avoiding the aerial shots that had caused her teammates so many problems.

Kim Garth proved to be an able running partner, with the fast bowler making 11 off 47 balls before she was stumped by Sidra Nawaz down the leg side in a wonderful display of wicketkeeping.

There was only a little panic from Australia, finding themselves at 115 for eight, as King came in to support Mooney with big hitting so often a feature of her innings.

However, the spinner kept things calm as Mooney neared her century, which she duly reached with a single, her first World Cup 100 coming from 110 balls.

From there, the pairing went big, as their partnership passed 100 and only ended on the final ball as Mooney was caught for 109 from 114 balls.

King provided 51 from 49 balls including three sixes to become the first batter in women’s ODIs to score a fifty while batting at number 10 or lower.

It meant that after suffering an almighty scare, Australia had recovered to set Pakistan 222 to win.

Pace stumps Pakistan

While spin had done for the majority of Australia’s wickets, they relied on pace with Megan Schutt having been brought in to replace Sophie Molineux.

A steady start to Pakistan’s chase was required but Sadaf Shamas departed for five as she was caught behind by Alyssa Healy off the bowling of Kim Garth on review.

Annabel Sutherland took a low catch for Schutt’s first wicket before the experiment to send Sidra Nawaz higher up the order did not work out as she was dismissed for five by Garth.

With Natalia Pervaiz and Eyman Fatima falling cheaply, Pakistan slipped to 31 for five inside the ninth over.

Sutherland became the third pace bowler to pick up a wicket as skipper Fatima had to return to the hutch.

Sidra Amin dug in but became the first wicket to spin in the innings as Gardner dismissed her for 35, while Georgia Wareham picked up the next wicket to leave Pakistan 86 for eight.

King was the third of the spin trio to earn a wicket as she broke a building partnership before Sutherland bowled Rameen to secure Australia their second win of the World Cup.

Australia v Pakistan – R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, Sri Lanka

Australia 221/9 in 50 overs (Beth Mooney 109, Alana King 51; Nashra Sandhu 3/37, Rameen Shamim 2/29)

Pakistan 114 all out in 36.3 overs (Sidra Amin 35, Rameen Shamim 15; Kim Garth 3/14, Annabel Sutherland 2/15)

Result: Australia won by 107 runs

With thanks to the ICC

Forty-eight promising young athletes will be selected to fill each of the four men’s and four women’s squads for a two-day tournament designed to unearth players with an eye to the 2028 LA Olympics and future cycles.

The athletes will be allocated to represent the men’s and women’s Bolt, Inferno, Power and Surge teams with the full squads to be announced within the next fortnight.

The tournament, which will be free to fans, will also feature the Black Ferns and All Blacks Sevens teams as they warm up for the upcoming 2025-26 World SVNS Series with matches against Australia and Fiji, while Japan’s women’s team will also be in attendance.

New Zealand Rugby Head of Men’s High Performance Mike Anthony said the Ignite7 format had proven its worth in the past.

“The numbers of players who have progressed through Ignite7 shows the value of the programme and we know that there is some talent that will emerge through our pathways in the next two years.

“This tournament week represents a massive opportunity for young players to showcase their talent and to rub shoulders with our current Black Ferns and All Blacks Sevens players and coaches. It’s an important step in our high performance sevens pathway.”

Ignite7’s legacy began in 2018 with youngster William Warbrick emerging as the standout from the inaugural tournament, then pressing on to represent the All Blacks Sevens at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Current Black Ferns fullback Renee Holmes and recent All Black halfback Kyle Preston are among the 2019 Ignite alumni, while 2020 saw teenagers Caleb Tangitau, Fehi Fineanganofo, Jazmin Felix-Hotham, Mahina Paul and Manaia Nuku progress through to the 2024 Paris Olympics.

New Zealand Rugby Head of Women’s High Performance Hannah Porter said there was no doubt new talent would emerge from the 2025 edition.

“There is incredible talent coming through in the women’s game. Some of the athletes at Ignite this year will be from the National Combine we ran earlier this year which unearthed some exceptional athletes, while others are further along in their development.

“We expect some stars will emerge quickly, but crucially this will also give us a chance to look further ahead at the athletes we believe can be ready for LA 2028 and build competition among a wider group of players.”

With thanks to New Zealand Rugby

Bangladesh pushed England all the way in Guwahati as the three-time champions pursued their target of 179 after Sophie Ecclestone had earlier taken three for 24.

Sobhana Mostary (60) and Rabeya Khan (43 not out) ensured Bangladesh posted a competitive total on a difficult batting surface, one in which England’s spinners thrived on, taking nine of their opponents 10 wickets.

Marufa Akter and Fahima Khatun combined to help reduce England to 78 for five in response, but Knight, ably supported by Charlie Dean in an unbroken partnership worth 79, saw her team over the line.

Late-hitting from Rabeya gives Tigresses a chance

Having won the toss and electing to bowl for the second successive World Cup match, Nat Sciver-Brunt’s side made a fast start out in the field.

Bangladesh were reduced to 25 for two inside the sixth over as Lauren Bell (one for 28) and Linsey Smith (two for 33), accounted for Rubya Haider for four and skipper Nigar Sultana Joty for a second-ball duck respectively.

England’s economical bowling succeeded in stifling the Tigresses’ innings and two brilliant catches from Amy Jones standing up to the stumps left Bangladesh 85 for four one ball in the 23rd over.

From there, England’s spinners turned the screw on the opposition as Ritu Moni holed out to deep midwicket for five to give Dean her second dismissal, having previously accounted for Shorna Akter.

Whilst wickets tumbled around her, Sobhana looked calm and composed as her maiden international fifty helped her side fight back against England’s spin barrage.

Ecclestone took two wickets in consecutive overs to take her wicket tally to three having removed Sharmin Akhter for 30, as Bangladesh were reduced to 130 for seven with just seven overs remaining.

The 26-year-old slow left-armer knocked over Fahima with a flighted delivery for seven before tempting Nahida Akter into an ill-fated drive which found Dean close in.

Rabeya offered valuable late-order resistance for Bangladesh, adding an unbeaten 43 from 27 balls which featured six fours and one towering six off Smith.

But once Sobhana was given out LBW for a fine 108-ball 60 off the bowling of Alice Capsey (2/31), Bangladesh were eventually bowled out for 178.

Knight steers England through nerves

England’s reply hit turbulence early on as Marufa Akter pinned Jones leg before wicket in the first over and then Tammy Beaumont in the seventh to leave the score 29 for two.

The arrival of Sciver-Brunt looked to have steadied the ship, as, alongside Knight, who had been given reprieves from being given out caught and LBW, the pair put on 40 for the third wicket.

But Fahima Khatun span the game back in Bangladesh’s favour with three quick wickets, including Sciver-Brunt for a well-made 32, to leave England 78 for five.

Capsey looked assured as she and Knight took England past 100, but the 21-year-old was prized out for 20 by Shanjida Akther Maghla soon after.

Knight’s majestic, lofted drive over Maghla’s head showed she was up for the fight and when she reached her half century, England needed just 41 more to win.

Dean provided able support to Knight as the duo’s partnership was the highest of the match, and it was the former who sealed the game with a glorious cover drive to the boundary.

Bangladesh v England – Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati, India

Bangladesh 178 all out in 49.4 overs (Sobhana Mostary 60, Rabeya Khan 43 not out; Sophie Ecclestone 3/24, Charlie Dean 2/28)

England 182/6 in 46.1 overs (Heather Knight, 79 not out, Nat Sciver-Brunt 32; Fahima Khatun 3/16, Marufa Akter 2/28)

Result: England won by four wickets

With thanks to the ICC

This was the Big Show, big crowds, painted faces, all the fun of the fair.

You’ll recall Gaelle Mignot screaming at her troops: “Six weeks, six weeks!” Looking forward, they looked like an eternity. Looking back, they were gone in the blink of an eye.

There were three pool rounds to come first. If people were hoping for a giant-killing act, it seemed unlikely. Each pool of four was divided strictly according to rankings. The only possible upsets might come where two nations were relatively closely placed in merit.

That’s how it turned out on the first weekend. Italy held France to a modest 24-0 win.

In the second round we had extremes. England put 92 points on Samoa, but before doubters could pour scorn on such an unequal contest, the Manusina invited the Red Roses to a midfield dance post-match. They were so delighted to be at an event of this scale.

Two characteristics of the English are their willingness to watch neutral nations playing together and their support for the underdog. The penalty scored by Harmony Vatau just after half-time was greeted with rapture. Likewise Bianca Silva’s solo try for Brazil against France brought the biggest cheer of the day.

It remains to be seen whether future RWCs (Australia then USA) can repeat this warming feature.

There were counterbalancing shocks. Observers hunting for “new” teams to break through could marvel at South Africa’s defeat of Italy 29-24. At last the SARU was giving them decent support.

A second big shock came when Fiji beat Wales 28-25. They played with the inbuilt joy and freedom that marks their game.

It was a triumph for a squad so underfunded; for Cymru yet another nail in WRU’s coffin. Efforts are now being put in place to rectify matters, but resources are thin.

Wales became the only home nation not to progress to the knock-outs.

By the end of the second round seven of the eight quarter-finalists were already known – the sides to win both matches. But the riveting 31-31 draw between the USA and Australia meant their fate hung on results in the third round. The Eagles seemed to hold the trump cards: there were to play Samoa while the Wallaroos had to face the English. But the points-table was right against them.

And so it proved. The teams to progress were Australia, Canada, England, France, Ireland, New Zealand, Scotland and South Africa.

Of them four were delighted to extend their stay; the other four had expected it.

My one ongoing quibble: only one of the eight does not have English as an official language. At the highest level women’s rugby is still not international enough for my liking.

The most engaging feature was the immense crowds watching. For example, the gate at Northampton to see the South Africa-Brazil game was 12,116.

The one unavoidable drawback for viewers at home was trying to digest eight matches in two weekend sittings. But we shouldn’t really complain; there was excitement and tension everywhere.

From here things would grow tougher – for players, their staffs and their supporters.

Special moments

In the first round Julia Schell (Canada) scored six tries against Fiji. What made this sextet special was that they came inside 23 second-half minutes; indeed the first trio were completed in three minutes!

She wasn’t alone in scoring in threes. Also in the pool-stages came Francesca McGhie (Scotland), Desiree Miller (Australia), Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi (Italy), Jess Breach (England) and Braxton Sorensen-McGee (New Zealand) twice! – on her way to being named Breakthrough Player of the Tournament.

Breaking news

Last night, 6 September, France’s glamorous Nuit du Rugby was held at the Olympia, Paris.

The winner of the outstanding player in Elite 1 (a new award) was Madoussou Fall Raclot. The award of outstanding female international player came to Teani Feleu.

Nonkululeko Mlaba’s four-for meant Sophie Devine’s 85 was only a bright spot as the White Ferns’ bottom order fell to 231 all out.

Brits and Sune Luus put on a record 159-run partnership for the Proteas at the World Cup to see them to victory, while the White Ferns are still searching for a win.

Records tumble in South Africa win

In a game filled with milestones, Marizanne Kapp, who became South Africa Women’s most-capped player in ODIs, dismissed Suzie Bates, on her 350th international appearance, for a first-ball duck.

Opener Georgia Plimmer and Amelia Kerr slowly played their way into the game, but with pressure mounting, Kerr sliced a Nadine de Klerk delivery that was caught by a diving Luus.

Kerr was out for 23 from 42 balls, with Plimmer unable to push on her strike rate once joined at the crease by Devine as Plimmer departed for 31 from 68, having been caught by De Klerk on the boundary.

Devine, on her 300th White Ferns appearance, gave New Zealand impetus, and that was matched by her new partner at the crease, Brooke Halliday.

The 36-year-old playing in her final World Cup reached 50 off 66 balls, and as Halliday neared hers, South Africa missed a run-out chance with Sinalo Jafta unable to take the ball cleanly.

With the pressure on the Proteas, Halliday mishit a Mlaba delivery, with the spinner safely catching a high ball to break the 86-run partnership and see the all-rounder dismissed for 45.

Mlaba got her second as Anneke Bosch took a stunning catch to dismiss Maddy Green for four before Izzy Gaze was run out for 10.

Just as Devine looked like she might hit her second century in a row, she misread a Mlaba delivery and was bowled for 85 from 98 balls.

South Africa sensed an opportunity and took it as Ayabonga Khaka got Jess Kerr out for two before Laura Wolvaardt took the pick of the catches, sticking out a hand while in midair to dismiss Lea Tahuhu for Mlaba’s fourth wicket.

New Zealand’s unravelling ended with Eden Carson being run out to see the White Ferns set South Africa 232 to win, having lost their last seven wickets for 44 runs.

Brits hits three figures once more

In reply, South Africa started positively as Wolvaardt took three fours off Jess Kerr, but the pace bowler responded by dismissing the captain LBW for 14.

Despite Wolvaardt’s early departure, Tazmin Brits and Luus played positively and ensured the Proteas passed 69, the total they made against England, in the 13th over as Luus hit the first six of the match.

That almost seemed to mark the acceleration point of South Africa’s chase as they took 11 off the next over before Brits brought up her fastest ODI fifty with 51 runs in 44 balls.

Luus and Brits passed 103 together for the biggest partnership of the World Cup so far and survived New Zealand’s short-lived attempt to limit their run scoring.

Former skipper Luus passed 50 for the 16th time, and the milestones kept coming as with 133 runs, her and Brits’ partnership became the record for South Africa in a World Cup.

Brits continued her remarkable year with a seventh ODI century, and her first at World Cups, before finally being dismissed by Tahuhu for 101.

There was a small wobble as Kapp and Bosch departed in the space of 10 balls, but Luus was there to see South Africa home, ending on 81 not out.

New Zealand v South Africa – Holkar Stadium, Indore, India

New Zealand 231 all out in 47.5 overs (Sophie Devine 85, Brooke Halliday 45; Nonkululeko Mlaba 4/40, Chloe Tryon 1/24)

South Africa 234 for four in 40.5 overs (Tazmin Brits 101, Sune Luus 81 not out; Amelia Kerr 2/62, Lea Tahuhu 1/27)

Result: South Africa won by six wickets

With thanks to the ICC

• Participation has surged – the number of female players has risen by 38%, with over 500 clubs now offering women’s and girls’ rugby.
• The Red Roses have set new standards – being ranked number one in the world, winning the World Cup, going on a streak of seven consecutive Six Nations titles, and breaking their own world record with 33 consecutive wins.
• Visibility has grown dramatically – match attendances have more than doubled, with record-breaking crowds at Allianz Stadium and a database of women’s rugby fans that has tripled to over 200,000.
• Investment has accelerated – annual funding in the women’s and girls’ game has tripled since 2021, enabling the creation of hundreds of new teams, more professional opportunities, and stronger pathways.
• Leadership and representation have strengthened – with more than 1,400 women newly qualified as coaches and match officials, creating role models and opportunities across the community game.

• Play – Grow participation to 100,000 active players with 70,000 of those officially registered with clubs, and ensure more women and girls start, stay and thrive in rugby.
• Perform – Maintain the Red Roses as a world-leading team, including through retaining the World Cup in 2029, with strong player pathways and thriving domestic leagues, including supporting Premiership Women’s Rugby.
• Follow – Attract and engage more women’s rugby fans through deeper connections and more memorable match-days – growing the number of passionate fans of the Red Roses to 3 million (as measured by YouGov)
• Fund – Grow revenue through innovative partnerships, match-day opportunities and tailored commercial growth with a target of doubling revenue to £60m to help fuel the game’s future.

The 20-year-old, a product of the Devon and Gloucestershire Pathways and Western Storm Emerging Player Programme, joined the Somerset Girls Academy last winter.

After impressing for the Academy this summer, the right-arm seamer has signed a contract that will run across the 2026 & 2027 seasons.

After signing for Somerset, Bea said: “It’s amazing to be able to say that I’m a professional cricketer because it’s something that I’ve worked really hard for. It’s really nice to know that the hard work has paid off, but it definitely doesn’t mean that the hard work stops. I’m so excited for what’s to come.

“I pride myself on being a gamechanger and I hope that when my opportunity to represent Somerset arrives that I’ll be someone who runs in quick, challenges batters and changes the course of the game. I have high expectations of myself, and I don’t know what the next two years have in store but I’m going to approach everything with an open mind.

“To represent the region means absolutely everything to me because everyone who has helped me on my journey has played a part in me get to this point.”

Somerset Girls Academy Coach, Jack Bradbury said: “I’m incredibly proud to see Bea sign her first contract. Her commitment to developing over the last 12 months has been phenomenal.

“She’s had a really exciting impact on a number of Academy fixtures this summer as well as in some ECB opportunities which have given her the chance to show everyone in the country how good she is.

“I’m incredibly excited to watch her go about her work as a professional cricketer in her own unique style.”

Somerset Director of Cricket, Andy Hurry added: “Bea has worked hard with the Academy over the last 12 months and has the potential to bring a real point of difference with the ball. I’m sure she’ll be a great asset to the team.

“We’ve been impressed by what we’ve seen her do with the ball this summer, and we’re excited about what she can achieve within the game. We are very much looking forward to working with her on her continued journey.”

With thanks to Somerset CCC

Having already seen off Sri Lanka in their opening match, India battled to 247 all out batting first against Pakistan.

That proved to be more than enough as Gaud produced a brilliant performance with the ball, taking three for 20 from her 10 overs, with Pakistan eventually bowled out for 159.

India set healthy target after delays

India made a strong start after being put into bat, with Pratika Rawal smashing three consecutive boundaries off Diana Baig.

Smriti Mandhana struggled to find the gaps early but started to come into her own before she was trapped in front by Pakistan skipper Fatima Sana for 23.

That brought Harleen Deol to the crease, and she seized an early opportunity to use her footwork as she danced down the track and lifted Rameen Shamim over wide long on for six.

Sadia Iqbal had one crashed through the covers by Rawal before bowling the opener all ends up for 31.

At 67 for two, the game was evenly poised as India’s run-rate dipped while an extra factor entered the game as a swarm of insects started to bother both batters and bowlers.

Harmanpreet Kaur eventually fell for 19, caught behind off Diana with Deol then caught off Rameen just as she was approaching a half-century, finding long on for 46.

Jemimah Rodrigues departed LBW to Nashra Sandhu for 32, immediately after a delay to clear the bugs.

Sneh Rana and Deepti Sharma rebuilt before the former picked out long on off Fatima for 20 and the latter was caught behind of Diana for 25.

A clever cameo from Richa Ghosh, who made 35 off just 20 deliveries, fired India to 247 all out, although Diana had the final say with two wickets off the final two balls to finish with figures of four for 69.

Pakistan reply hit by quicks

Pakistan’s chase started with two huge shouts for LBW in the first over from Renuka Singh, before Muneeba Ali was run out for two at the end of the fourth over.

Kranti Gaud then got Sadaf Shams caught and bowled for six in a wicket maiden, with Pakistan in trouble at 21 for two after eight overs.

Aliya Riaz steered one off Gaud to Sharma as she fell for two with Pakistan reduced to 26 for three.

That brought Natalia Pervaiz to the crease to join Sidra Amin, with the pair starting a rebuild as they added 69 in 16 overs.

The return of Gaud did the trick, as the youngster picked up a third wicket, removing Natalia for 33 on her way to figures of three for 20.

With the required rate rising, Fatima could not clear the fence when going for a big shot off Sharma, picking out Mandhana as she fell for two.

Sidra Nawaz added 14 with Sidra Ameen before she fell caught and bowled to Rana for 14 and from there India seized control.

Sharma bowled Rameen first ball and then Rana finally got Sidra Amin for 81 to reduce Pakistan to 150 for eight.

A run-out and another wicket for Sharma (3/45) saw Pakistan bowled out with seven overs still to go as India continued their strong start to the tournament.

India v Pakistan – R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, Sri Lanka

India 247 all out in 50 overs (Harleen Deol 46, Richa Ghosh 35 not out; Diana Baig 4/69, Fatima Sana 2/38)

Pakistan 159 all out in 43 overs (Sidra Amin 81, Natalia Pervaiz 33; Kranti Gaud 3/20, Deepti Sharma 3/45)

India won by 88 runs

With thanks to the ICC