Sharing smiles after entertaining match

CAPE TOWN: There were plenty of smiles and lots of laughter as players from India and Pakistan mixed in the change rooms following an entertaining match between the arch-rivals at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in Cape Town.

India were victorious on the pitch earlier in the day courtesy of a superb unbeaten half-century from rising star Jemimah Rodrigues but the exchanges between the sides at the completion of the game were warm as players from both teams mixed at the Newlands ground.

Players from both sides posed for a big group photo, while India captain Harmanpreet Kaur and Pakistan all-rounder Nida Dar were all smiles as they exchanged jerseys.

While Nida Dar failed to score during the eagerly awaited match between the two rivals at the T20 World Cup, Pakistan skipper Bismah Maroof stood up on the big stage to hit an unbeaten 68 not out to help her side amass a competitive total of 149-4 from their 20 overs.

Harmanpreet was out for 16 in the 14th over of the run chase to give Pakistan some hope, but a brilliant 55 not out from Rodrigues ensured India clinched the victory with six balls to spare.

Rodrigues smashed eight boundaries during her 38-ball stay, with the right-hander combining well with Richa Ghosh (31 not out) to put on 58 for the fourth-wicket in a match-winning partnership.

India will get the chance to make it two wins from as many matches at the tournament when they take on the West Indies at the same ground on Wednesday.

Pakistan are also in action at the same ground that day, when they will look to get their T20 World Cup campaign back on track against Ireland.