This was not what India had in mind for the end of their World Cup campaign. Far from visions of emulating Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s men and lifting the trophy in Mumbai, Mithali Raj had to settle for a no less impressive match-winning innings, but away in Cuttack against Pakistan in the play-off to avoid the ignominy of finishing in eighth – and last – place.
There was surely no danger of either side failing to get themselves motivated for this fixture – no match between India and Pakistan can ever be described as a ‘dead’ rubber and this one provided a welcome contest.
Pakistan broke their World Cup record to score 192 for seven thanks to half-centuries from Nain Abidi (58) and Nida Dar (68 not out). It was their fifth highest ODI score of all time and Dar’s effort was also a World Cup record individual score for Pakistan. (Thanks to @rafnicholson for that one).
India were then in trouble at 51 at two and then lost two wickets for eight runs to slip to 108 for four but while Raj was at the crease, India were always likely to be on course for victory, which was eventually achieved with four overs and six wickets in hand.
She dominated partnerships with Harmanpreet Kaur and Reema Malhotra, and her 103 in 141 balls was also an Indian World Cup record. She has now scored four of the 12 centuries registered in women’s ODIs by Indians – a remarkable record. If we level charges against New Zealand of being over-reliant on Suzie Bates, and England on Charlotte Edwards, where would India be without Raj’s contribution? They might have lost this game, and several others, of that there is no doubt.
In this game, Pakistan batted out 50 overs for the first time in the tournament and put up a genuinely competitive performance. I wonder how much of that can be attributed to being the underdogs and whether they raised their game because India were their opponents.
It won’t happen – Pakistan don’t host internationals any more, and India are reluctant to reciprocate – but perhaps for Pakistan to continue their development and improve one of the best ideas would be regular cricket against their nearest rivals. The two sides have met only seven times since their first meeting in 2005 – contrast that with Australia and New Zealand’s 47.
It is the same argument that the likes of Ireland, Netherlands and even Bangladesh make in the men’s game. More games against top-class opposition can only help them get even better, and help the game grow in turn.