India is similar to most countries where cricket isn’t just a sport. Cricket is somewhat of a religion in the Indian subcontinent. Not just a classic in men’s cricket, the subcontinent also witnessed a heartwarming story of women’s cricket emerging to prominence.
The contest between India Women and Pakistan Women is no longer just about winning games. It is symbolic of the changing face of the sport, where every game stands for a tale — of advancement, persistence, and empowerment.
It’s the one that gets fans riled in that beautiful kind of passion. It is time for the Women’s side, one of the fiercest rivalries in the world sports arena. India and Pakistan are no strangers to passion and, of course, intense competition.
The Origin of the Rivalry – Early Beginnings
The India vs Pakistan Women rivalry started in 2005 during the Women’s Asia Cup in Karachi, Pakistan.
It was the first-ever clash of quality players between these two sides. India Women, on the other hand, started as overwhelming favorites and were generally expected to triumph against Pakistan Women.
But since then, Pakistani women have gained strength, and their rivalry has developed into a more even affair.
Evolution Over the Years
The rivalry intensified, but India Women became stronger, winning almost all the games between the two sides in ODI’s. Nonetheless, the Pakistan Women’s team has arguably made the most progress recently and has proved them in T20s.
The competition has seen both teams transform their cricket approach, player acquisitions, and global position. The improved performances and courage are reflected during each game and depict the journey of women’s cricket.
Head-to-Head Statistics – Overall ODI and T20I Records
The all-time head-to-head record of India Women vs Pakistan Women shows that the Indian team has had the best of the Pakistani challenge for much of their journey, especially in ODIs.
But the Pakistan Women have kept pace, much more in T20Is than ever, by winning 3 matches out of 15.
One Day Internationals (ODIs)
| Statistic | India Women | Pakistan Women |
| Matches Played | 11 | 11 |
| Wins | 11 | 0 |
| Losses | 0 | 11 |
| No Results | 0 | 0 |
India Women in the One Day Internationals have an undefeated record against Pakistan Women.
Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is)
| Statistic | India Women | Pakistan Women |
| Matches Played | 15 | 15 |
| Wins | 12 | 3 |
| Losses | 3 | 12 |
| No Results | 0 | 0 |
In T20Is, India Women have a strong advantage with 12 out of 15 games, while Pakistan Women have secured 3 wins.
The Last Five Encounters
Last Five ODI Matches
| Date | Venue | Winner | Margin | Player of the Match |
| March 6, 2022 | Mount Maunganui, NZ | India Women | 107 runs | Pooja Vastrakar (67 runs) |
| July 2, 2017 | Derby, England | India Women | 95 runs | Ekta Bisht (5/18) |
| February 19, 2017 | Colombo, Sri Lanka | India Women | 7 wicket | Deepti Sharma (21* runs) |
| February 7, 2013 | Cuttack, India | India Women | 85 runs | Nagarajan Niranjana (4/15) |
| May 9, 2008 | Bowral, Australia | India Women | 207 runs | Jaya Sharma (138* runs) |
Last Five T20I Matches
| Date | Venue | Winner | Margin | Player of the Match |
| July 19, 2024 | Dambulla, Sri Lanka | India Women | 7 wicket | Deepti Sharma (3/20) |
| February 12, 2023 | Cape Town, South Africa | India Women | 7 wickets | Jemimah Rodrigues (53* runs) |
| October 7, 2022 | Sylhet, Bangladesh | Pakistan Women | 13 runs | Nida Dar (56* runs) |
| July 31, 2022 | Birmingham, UK | India Women | 8 wickets | Smriti Mandhana (63* runs) |
| November 11, 2018 | Providence, West Indies | India Women | 7 wickets | Mithali Raj (56 runs) |
Star Players and Their Impact
Indian Star Players
Mithali Raj
A living legend of women’s cricket is Mithali Raj. As captain of India, she was instrumental in many wins over Pakistan. She has scored 271 runs in ODIs against Pakistan, with her unbeaten top score of 103 proving her solid skills and temperament.
Smriti Mandhana
Smriti Mandhana is one of the most elegant left-handed batters in world cricket. She has enjoyed a rapid rise both in terms of reputation and runs. She has aggressive starts that have, more often than not, set the tempo for India’s innings in shorter formats.
After 2019, she has shown improved fitness levels and can get runs quickly, which can be vital in ODIs and T20Is.
Pooja Vastrakar
Pooja Vastrakar has become a vital allrounder for India. Her best performance came when she took a remarkable five-wicket haul and 67-run knock in an ODI. She is an all-rounder who has won critical matches for India over the years.
Pakistani Star Players
Bismah Maroof
Her form has been particularly crucial during the matches against India. The Pakistan women’s team won some matches with her 248 runs in T20Is. Her highest score of 68* meant she had the skills and determination to anchor the innings.
Nida Dar
An all-rounder player, Nida Dar is one of the consistent players in the Pakistan team. She’s also had a hand in Pakistan, recording rare wins against India. The team has taken up a lead in crucial game moments through her contributions with both the bat and ball.
Sana Mir
Pakistan have relied heavily on former captain Sana Mir in their bowling department. Her leadership in ODI wins with the bowl and 8 wickets against India led Pakistan to restrict the attack from India in a more brutal contest.
Memorable Performances
Jaya Sharma 138* in 2005 ODI
Among the most incredible displays of this new-fangled rivalry’s history was that by Jaya Sharma from the 2005 ODI held in Karachi. Her unbeaten 138 runs single-handedly guided India to an enormous victory.
Also, they made her the record holder for the highest individual score by a player in the history of women’s ODIs between India and Pakistan.
Ekta Bisht’s 5/18 in 2017 ODI
Ekta Bisht took five wickets for 18 runs in the Women’s World Cup at Derby in 2017. She completely took apart Pakistan’s batting order. She had mesmerized figures, resulting in an easy victory for India and making her win the Player of the Match award.
Mithali Raj 73* v/s T20 Asia Cup-2016
Her 112 runs in the T20 Asia Cup 2016, playing an unbeaten knock of 73 runs, is an innings to be remembered. Her calm presence in the middle was pivotal in India chasing a stern total against a top opponent on the biggest night.
56* Nida Dar (2022 T20 Asia Cup)
Nida Dar smashed an unbeaten knock of 56 and picked 3 wickets in the T20 Asia Cup. Pakistan edged India in a nail-biter where her contribution made all the difference.
Player vs Player Statistics
Top Run-Scorers (ODIs & T20Is)
| Player | Matches | Runs | Average | Highest Score | 50s | 100s |
| Mithali Raj | 11 ODIs | 271 | 45.16 | 103* | 1 | 1 |
| Smriti Mandhana | 9 T20Is | 232 | 29.00 | 63* | 0 | 0 |
| Bismah Maroof | 14 T20Is | 248 | 19.07 | 68* | 2 | 0 |
Top Wicket-Takers (ODIs & T20Is)
| Player | Matches | Wickets | Average | Best Bowling | 5-wicket Hauls |
| Ekta Bisht | 3 ODIs | 11 | 6.90 | 5/8 | 1 |
| Nida Dar | 12 T20Is | 10 | 25.30 | 3/12 | 0 |
| Sana Mir | 10 ODIs | 8 | 41.00 | 4/13 | 0 |
Statistical Breakdown of Top Players
India Women’s Leading Run-Scorers
| Player | Format | Matches | Runs | Average | Highest Score | 50s | 100s |
| Mithali Raj | ODI | 11 | 271 | 45.16 | 103* | 1 | 1 |
| Smriti Mandhana | T20I | 9 | 232 | 29.00 | 63* | 0 | 0 |
| Pooja Vastrakar | ODI | 3 | 212 | 70.68 | 67 | 0 | 0 |
Pakistan Women’s Leading Run-Scorers
| Player | Format | Matches | Runs | Average | Highest Score | 50s | 100s |
| Bismah Maroof | T20I | 14 | 248 | 19.07 | 68* | 2 | 0 |
| Nida Dar | T20I | 12 | 166 | 20.75 | 56* | 2 | 0 |
| Sana Mir | ODI | 10 | 328 | 15.25 | 35 | 0 | 0 |
India Women’s Leading Wicket-Takers
| Player | Format | Matches | Wickets | Average | Best Bowling | 5-wicket Hauls |
| Ekta Bisht | ODI | 3 | 11 | 6.90 | 5/8 | 1 |
| Jhulan Goswami | ODI | 9 | 11 | 19.36 | 2/17 | 0 |
| Neetu David | ODI | 7 | 5 | 19.00 | 3/7 | 0 |
Pakistan Women’s Leading Wicket-Takers
| Player | Format | Matches | Wickets | Average | Best Bowling | 5-wicket Hauls |
| Sana Mir | ODI | 10 | 8 | 41.00 | 4/13 | 0 |
| Qanita Jalil | ODI | 8 | 7 | 39.71 | 5/62 | 1 |
| Nida Dar | T20I | 12 | 10 | 25.30 | 3/12 | 0 |
The Buzz of a Rivalry
An India Women vs Pakistan Women cricket match is an event both on and off the field. The stadiums are packed with fans from both countries who bring a real sense of atmosphere.
In a cricket-crazy subcontinent where the game of cricket is an emotion, this enthusiasm can be seen even in a neutral venue like the UAE.
Social Media Reactions
Now, with the integration of social media into our daily lives, this vibe also overflows to the various social media platforms. Excited fans will have conversations and memes and join in both for celebrations of their team.
Match days witness trending hashtags like #INDvsPAK #WomenInBlue with so much public exposure and anticipation. The media helps the rivalry spread far and wide. They are set up to offer extensive coverage, with pre-match analysis, live commentary, and post-match reviews.
Impact on Women’s Cricket
One of the oldest cricket rivalries is between India Women and Pakistan Women. It is a match that is guaranteed to be an exciting encounter. Encounters like these are not just good for the women’s game, but they also play a role in helping women’s cricket bloom.
It has taken the media coverage, increased viewer numbers, and, more importantly, significant support from fans to push Women’s cricket into the mainstream. As a result, more young girls pursue the sport inspired by their women’s cricket role models.
Future Prospects
The next generation of role models like Mithali Raj, Smriti Mandhana, and Bismah Maroof inspire youths. The rivalry will only grow with a greater frequency of bilateral series and participation in global tournaments.
While this is a positive sign, the future does look bright for cricket, with increased investments in the training facility, coaching staff, and grassroots programs bound to help India and Pakistan teams come back stronger than before, providing us with some fascinating clashes.
This competition is yet in the dawning phase of its peak, mainly due to upcoming talents like Shafali Verma and Richa Ghosh (for India) and Ayesha Naseem and Fatima Sana (for Pakistan). These players add new energy and skill, making future matches ever so competitive and exciting.
Global Recognition
While women’s cricket is being watched worldwide, the rivalry between India and Pakistan on and off the field has become intense.
These high-profile games will attract international viewers and generate sponsorships and global media coverage. It can be instrumental in pushing the quality and status of women’s cricket much higher, inspiring cricketers worldwide.
Since the popularity of India Women vs Pakistan Women cricket is growing, more bilateral series are expected between teams. These meet-ups would allow the two to duke it out more frequently, thus advancing competition and building their skills — breeding a better contest between the sides.
Conclusion
India Women vs Pakistan Women cricket rivalry is a shining example of uniting nations through competition. It is a battle with a deep history that some of the greatest players in the game have seen with matches to boast.
With both teams growing up and new talents emerging, the future of this rivalry looks better than ever. Every time the sides meet, it’s a page-turner in the archives of India-Pakistan cricket history.
As women’s cricket grows globally, the India-Pakistan rivalry will continue to shape and be the mainstay of an emergent era that promises excitement and passion in rich measures over the forthcoming decade.
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