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India A defeated New Zealand by DLS in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 warm-up, with Izzy Gaze scoring 101 and Shafali hitting 70.
New Zealand stumbled to defeat in their first warm-up fixture of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 against India A at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) Ground 2 on Thursday.
Despite wicketkeeper-batter Izzy Gaze’s valiant, unbeaten hundred (101*) down the order, which helped the White Ferns reach 273/9 in their 50 overs, India A secured victory by the DLS method. They had scored 226/6 from 39.3 overs before rain disrupted play.
The standout player in India A’s chase was Shafali, making a return to action after being left out of India’s squad for the upcoming World Cup. Shafali showcased her swashbuckling style, scoring 70 off 49 balls, which included 11 boundaries and a six.
However, with Vrinda Dinesh, Dhara Gujjar, and Tejal Hasabnis falling quickly, India A found themselves in a precarious position at 121/6. Wicketkeeper-batter Mamatha then steadied the innings, scoring an unbeaten 56 off 60 balls, featuring six fours and a maximum. She received good support from all-rounder Minnu Mani, who remained unbeaten on 39 off 53 balls, hitting three fours and a six.
In contrast, New Zealand struggled early on, with Suzie Bates and Georgia Plimmer being dismissed cheaply. Despite a brief resistance from captain Sophie Devine (34) and Maddy Green (30), regular breakthroughs from the Indian bowlers kept them in check. At 85/5, New Zealand risked being dismissed for a low total. However, Isabella’s impressive 101 off 100 balls, which included 15 fours and a six, ensured the visitors finished with a respectable score.
For India A, pacer Sayali Satghare was the standout bowler with figures of 3/45. Meanwhile, Minnu, Titas Sadhu, Saima Thakor, Priya Mishra, Tanuja Kanwer, and Prema Rawat each took a wicket. This result adds another accolade for India A, who secured a 2-1 win in the 50-over series during their multi-format tour of Australia in August.
New Zealand will next face India in their second warm-up clash on Saturday, September 27.
Rain Washes Out 2 Games
South Africa, who chose to bat first, faced an early setback when Marufa Akter bowled the in-form Proteas skipper Laura Wolvaardt with a superb delivery on the first ball of the game.
Akter struck gold again on the first ball of her second over, taking the wicket of Annerie Dercksen with another excellent delivery.
After Bangladesh dismissed the dangerous Marizanne Kapp at the brink of the eighth over, rain intervened, and the game was called off with the score at 45/3.
Bangladesh will play against Sri Lanka on Saturday, September 27, while South Africa will face Pakistan on Sunday, September 28.
Another rain-hit encounter occurred between World Cup hosts Sri Lanka and Pakistan, which was abandoned due to persistent rains in Colombo.
The home side started strong before captain Chamari Athapaththu’s shot ended up in Sadas Shamas’ hands off Pakistan skipper Fatima Sana. With rain coming into play, the match was inevitably abandoned with Sri Lanka at 33/1.
Sri Lanka’s next warm-up challenge is against Bangladesh, while Pakistan will take on South Africa.
(With inputs from Agencies)
Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes cricket content, havin…Read More
Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes cricket content, havin… Read More
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