BIRMINGHAM: The Commonwealth Games wanted to be called the ‘Friendly Game’ and until Sunday even Indian and Pakistani cricketers had bought the idea.

Women’s cricket will make its Olympics debut in Birmingham and as it has had an all-for-one camaraderie built into the competition, curb what is arguably the fiercest rival in the sport. world sport.

But with the road to the medal round open to the winners, the brotherhood was sidelined at the Edgbaston Cricket Ground as India beat Pakistan, the team remained inconclusive and dropped to the bottom of the standings. A.

Chasing 100 to win the game as short as rain, India hit the target with 38 balls in reserve as Smriti Mandhana crushed an undefeated 63 to win eight goals.

Earlier Pakistan overcame a loss to Iram Javed for a duck as compatriot Muneeba Ali hit 30–32 but a skewed shot meant they were capped at 99 in 18 passes.

 

Both losing their opening games of the Olympics, India and Pakistan arrived at the stadium knowing that another loss would end all medal hopes, giving more weight to a game that was never needed. .

“Whenever we have a chance to play against Pakistan, we always want to do well,” said India’s Harmanpreet Kaur. “This match is very important to win, not just because it’s Pakistan.”

Slim hopes

India can secure a semi-final berth with a win over Barbados in their final Group A match on Wednesday while Pakistan needs a win over Australia and lots of help in tiebreaker game scenarios. to keep their slim hope of moving forward.

The top two teams will advance to the final four with two B teams including England, South Africa, Sri Lanka and New Zealand.

 

While the rivalry between India and Pakistan focuses on men’s cricket, women fully understand its importance and their growing role in the sport.

With Birmingham renowned as one of Britain’s most diverse cities with large Indian and Pakistani communities, the crowds at Edgbaston Oval were the largest in the league.

The atmosphere outside on the ground on a rainy morning is more like a family outing than the bustle that usually follows a gathering of men as fathers and mothers. and children enjoy.

“It was just a match in the end, but it was a good one”, summarizing a father in an Indian shirt accompanied by four young girls.

Neither the players nor the fans missed their chance, the cheers didn’t stop.

In the end no one left Edgbaston and set themselves on fire, as distraught fans have done in the past when results were not available, but the smiles on the faces of India’s supporters indicate that his return trip they would be an optimist over one.