Raj century helps India avoid wooden spoon

When Mithali Raj steps out and laces the ball through cover, it is a sight to behold. That is exactly what more than 5000 spectators who had turned up at the Barabati Stadium on Thursday (February 7) witnessed as India brought the curtains down on a disappointing 2013 ICC Women's World Cup campaign with a thumping victory over Pakistan.

Raj's fourth One-Day International century led the way to a comfortable six-wicket win as India finished seventh in the eight-team tournament, which came as scant consolation.
Raj's fourth One-Day International century led the way to a comfortable six-wicket win as India finished seventh in the eight-team tournament, which came as scant consolation.

Chasing Pakistan's 192 for 7, India lost Poonam Raut (4), trapped plumb in front once again as she fell over trying to play across the line to Qanita Jalil, sending early jitters in the Indian camp. Thirush Kamini (26) too got off to a start but couldn't capitalise. But the fans who trooped in after lunch were treated to some breathtaking display of batsmanship by Raj, who came into the match with scores of 3 and 20 in her two previous knocks.

Raj, who remained unbeaten on 103, was well supported by Reema Malhotra, who made 25, as the duo put together 87 for the fifth wicket to steer India home with four overs to spare. Malhotra, who walked in to bat with the score on 108, was happy to nurdle the ball around and play support cast to her captain, who shifted gears once she got past 30, smashing 13 fours and a lofted hit off Sana Mir, her opposite number, for a six.

Pakistan, on its part, tried to make a fist of it by attacking with its front-line bowlers for a majority of the first 30 overs, which saw it pick up four wickets. But once Raj announced her intention to step up and go after the bowling, Pakistan began to look edgy, with the bowlers dropping their guard to let India off the hook.

Earlier, Pakistan was propelled to a fighting total, courtesy contrasting fifties by Nain Abidi and Nida Rashid, after it opted to bat. While Abidi (58) played the role of an accumulator, Rashid provided the finishing touches to remain unbeaten on 68 as Pakistan came up with its best batting display of the tournament, playing out its full quota of overs for the first time in four matches.

Mir perhaps made a tactical blunder by deciding to drop down the batting order. Those fears came true when Pakistan was tottering at 60 for 4 in the 22nd over, with Jhulan Goswami and Niranjana Nagarajan doing the damage to leave the brittle middle-order to repair the innings.

That responsibility was lapped up by Abidi and Rashid, who put together a 80-run stand for the 5th wicket in less than 20 overs to give Pakistan a chance of reaching the 200-run mark. Towards the later half of her innings, Abidi cashed in on some loose bowling by the Indian spinners, especially Ekta Bisht who conceded 50 off 9 overs, the most expensive figures of the innings.

Rashid complemented Abidi superbly. Not afraid to take risks and improvise whenever necessary, she kept the runs ticking over at a fair clip. Her composure, even after losing Abidi, stood out. She smashed seven boundaries and remained unbeaten on 68 off just 83 balls with support from Jalil, who chipped in with a handy 18 to give Pakistan a total of substance to bowl at.

India's bowling was led by the experienced duo of Goswami and Niranjana, who once again proved to be more than a handful. Niranjana, who was left out of the previous game in favour of Shubhlaxmi Sharma, picked up three wickets.

The win notwithstanding, India would believe its campaign came to an abrupt end, while Pakistan, who many believe slowly improved as the tournament progressed, returns home with memories of the wonderful Odisha hospitality.