BIRMINGHAM: The Commonwealth Games love to be known as the “Friendly Games” and up till Sunday even India and Pakistan cricketers had purchased into the theory.
Women’s cricket is making its Games debut in Birmingham and as a result of that, there was an all-for-one pioneering camaraderie constructed into the contest dialling down what’s arguably global game’s maximum intense contention.
But with a trail to the medal spherical opening up for the winners, sisterhood used to be set aside at Edgbaston Cricket Ground as India thumped Pakistan, who stay winless and dropped to the ground of the Group A standings.
Chasing 100 to win the rain-shortened fit, India reached their goal with 38 balls to spare as Smriti Mandhana smashed an unbeaten 63 to protected an eight-wicket victory.
Earlier, Pakistan overcame the lack of Iram Javed for a duck as fellow opening batter Muneeba Ali struck a 30-ball 32, however a cave in intended they had been limited to 99 of their 18 overs.
Having each misplaced their Games opener India and Pakistan arrived at the stadium realizing every other defeat would almost about finish any medal hopes, placing extra weight on a fixture that by no means wishes any.
“Whenever we get the opportunity to play against Pakistan we always want to do well,” stated India’s Harmanpreet Kaur. “This game was very important to win, not just because it was Pakistan.”
Slim hopes
India can clinch a semi-final spot with a win over Barbados of their last Group A fit on Wednesday whilst Pakistan wishes a victory over Australia and various assist within the tiebreaker situations to stay their slender hopes of advancing alive.
The most sensible two groups within the team will probably be joined within the last 4 by way of two from Group B which is made up of England, South Africa, Sri Lanka and New Zealand.
While the India and Pakistan contention is centred round males’s cricket, the ladies absolutely perceive its importance and their expanding position in it.
With Birmingham recognised as one in every of Britain’s maximum numerous towns with massive Indian and Pakistani communities the group at the Edgbaston oval used to be the biggest of the match.
The setting outdoor the bottom on a drizzly morning used to be extra circle of relatives day out than the hysteria that generally follows a males’s assembly as fathers and moms with youngsters in tow soaked up the thrill.
“It’s just a game at the end of the day but a good game,” summed up one father in an India jersey accompanied by way of 4 younger women.
The instance used to be no longer misplaced at the avid gamers or the fanatics, the cheering used to be loud and dependable.
At the belief, nobody used to be leaving Edgbaston and environment themselves on hearth, as distraught fanatics have accomplished up to now when effects have no longer long gone their means, however the smiles at the faces of India supporters signalled their shuttle house used to be going to be a extra upbeat one.
“It is always a special feeling when you play against Pakistan but I would like to say it is just another game and not like, “oh Pakistan”,” stated Sneh Rana. “But it is a good game always.
“It is a unique feeling.”