India vs Pakistan Women's World Cup Oct 5 2025: Complete Match Report & Highlights

India delivered another masterclass performance against Pakistan, securing a comprehensive 88-run victory in their Women's World Cup 2025 clash on October 5, 2025, at the R.Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. The win extends India's remarkable unbeaten streak against Pakistan to 12-0 in women's ODIs.

Match Summary and Key Statistics

India 247 all out (50 overs) defeated Pakistan 159 all out (43 overs) by 88 runs in what became another statement victory for the Indian women's team. The match showcased both teams' fighting spirit while highlighting India's superior depth and execution under pressure.

Kranti Gaud emerged as the Player of the Match with outstanding figures of 3/20 in 10 overs, dismantling Pakistan's batting lineup with precision and skill. Her performance was complemented by Deepti Sharma's 3/45, creating a bowling partnership that proved too strong for Pakistan's batsmen.

India's Innings: Solid Foundation Despite Early Struggles

Batting Performance Overview
Pakistan captain Fatima Sana won the toss and elected to field first, hoping to exploit morning conditions in Colombo. India's innings began steadily with openers Smriti Mandhana (23) and Pratika Rawal (31) adding 48 runs for the first wicket.

Middle Order Contributions
Harleen Deol anchored India's innings with a patient 46 off 65 balls, though her strike rate reflected the challenging nature of the pitch. Jemimah Rodrigues contributed a valuable 32 off 37 balls, maintaining momentum during the middle overs.

Richa Ghosh's Game-Changing Cameo
The defining moment came when Richa Ghosh walked in at number eight, transforming India's total with an explosive unbeaten 35 off just 20 balls. Her late flourish included crucial boundaries that lifted India from a modest total to a defendable 247.

Pakistan's Bowling Effort
Diana Baig was Pakistan's standout bowler, claiming 4/69 in her allotment of overs. Fatima Sana supported with 2/38, but Pakistan's bowling attack couldn't maintain consistent pressure throughout India's innings.

Pakistan's Chase: Amin's Heroics Weren't Enough

Early Setbacks and Recovery
Pakistan's chase began poorly with early wickets falling to Kranti Gaud's disciplined bowling. The opener Muneeba Ali was run out in bizarre circumstances, adding to Pakistan's mounting pressure.

Sidra Amin's Stellar Knock
Sidra Amin emerged as Pakistan's batting hero, scoring a magnificent 81 off 106 balls. Her innings included crucial partnerships and demonstrated exceptional technique against India's varied bowling attack.

The Crucial Partnership
Amin formed a vital 69-run partnership with Natalia Pervaiz (33 off 46 balls), bringing Pakistan back into contention. This fourth-wicket stand represented Pakistan's best period in the chase, reducing the required run rate significantly.

India's Bowling Response
Once Kranti Gaud broke the partnership, India's bowlers applied relentless pressure. Deepti Sharma and Sneh Rana (2/38) combined effectively to dismantle Pakistan's lower order, with captain Harmanpreet Kaur taking a crucial low catch to dismiss Amin.

Match Defining Moments and Controversies

The Bug Interruption
The match experienced unusual interruptions due to a sudden increase in bugs at the R.Premadasa Stadium during India's innings, forcing temporary halts in play. This unique incident added an unexpected dimension to the contest.

No-Handshake Controversy Continues
Both captains maintained the recent trend of avoiding handshakes, with Harmanpreet Kaur and Fatima Sana conducting separate interviews after the toss without exchanging pleasantries. This pattern continued after the match, reflecting ongoing tensions between the teams.

Direct Hit Run Out
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur provided a moment of brilliance with a direct hit from mid-on to run out Diana Baig, showcasing India's superior fielding standards throughout the contest.

Statistical Achievements and Records

India's Perfect Record
With this victory, India improved their head-to-head record against Pakistan in women's ODIs to an impressive 12-0, maintaining their unbeaten status in this format. This dominance spans multiple years and tournaments, establishing India as Pakistan's nemesis in women's cricket.

Bowling Excellence
India's bowling performance was clinical, with six different bowlers contributing wickets. The collective effort demonstrated their depth and tactical flexibility, crucial elements for World Cup success.

First Time Bowled Out
Notably, this marked the first time India was bowled out against Pakistan in women's ODIs, adding a statistical footnote to their comprehensive victory.

Player Performance Analysis

Kranti Gaud's Breakthrough
The pacer's Player of the Match performance included two early wickets and a crucial breakthrough that ended the Amin-Pervaiz partnership. Gaud revealed that her village had arranged a special LED screen to watch her performance, highlighting the grassroots support for Indian cricket.

Tactical Decisions
Gaud's request to maintain slip fielders despite bowling coach suggestions demonstrated smart game awareness, resulting in a crucial catch that changed the match momentum.

Tournament Implications and Looking Ahead

Points Table Position
India's victory propelled them to the top of the World Cup points table, establishing early tournament momentum with their second successive win. This positioning provides crucial psychological advantages for upcoming matches

Next Fixtures
India will face South Africa on Thursday, while Pakistan must regroup quickly for their encounter against defending champions Australia on Wednesday. Pakistan remains winless and faces mounting pressure to secure their first victory.

Conclusion

India's 88-run victory over Pakistan represented more than just another win in their perfect record. The match showcased India's ability to overcome batting struggles through bowling excellence and tactical superiority. While Pakistan fought valiantly through Sidra Amin's exceptional innings, India's depth and experience proved decisive in crucial moments.

Kranti Gaud's starring role, combined with Richa Ghosh's explosive finishing and disciplined bowling throughout, highlighted India's well-rounded team composition. As the tournament progresses, this comprehensive victory positions India as strong contenders while Pakistan must address their batting consistency to remain competitive.

The rivalry continues to captivate cricket fans worldwide, with India's dominance establishing them as the superior force in women's cricket between these traditional rivals.