Women’s T20 WC: India’s hopes rest on Pakistan after loss to Australia
India, with four points after two wins and two losses, must now hope that Pakistan defeats New Zealand on Monday.
Arundhati Reddy of India walks off after being run out by Phoebe Litchfield and Annabel Sutherland of Australia during the Women's T20 World Cup match at Sharjah, UAE, on October 13, 2024. (Photo: Getty Images)
By EasternEyeOct 14, 2024
INDIA'S hopes of advancing in the Women's T20 World Cup now depend on rivals Pakistan, after a nine-run loss to defending champions Australia on Sunday.
Australia secured their spot in the semi-finals by finishing at the top of Group A with four wins from four matches. India, with four points after two wins and two losses, must now hope that Pakistan defeats New Zealand on Monday. A Pakistan win would leave the second semi-final spot to be decided by net run rate. However, a victory for New Zealand will secure their place in the semi-finals and knock India out.
"It's something which is not in our control," India captain Harmanpreet Kaur said. "If we get the opportunity to play another game, that will be great. But otherwise, whoever deserves to be there, that team will be there."
Australia, six-time champions, played without their captain Alyssa Healy, who was sidelined with a foot injury sustained during Friday’s win over Pakistan. Tahlia McGrath stepped in to lead the team. Grace Harris, who replaced Healy, top-scored with 40 runs, while McGrath added 32 as Australia posted a total of 151-8 after electing to bat.
India responded with 142-9, with Harmanpreet Kaur scoring an unbeaten 54 and Deepti Sharma contributing 29. The pair shared a 63-run partnership for the fourth wicket, keeping India in the game until the final over. Needing 14 runs off the last six balls, India lost four wickets as Australia's Annabel Sutherland gave away just four runs.
Australia’s win extended their T20 World Cup winning streak to 15 matches. "We want to win every game we play," McGrath said. "We knew it was going to be a really big challenge for us today. They came really hard at us. I am just really proud of the group. We held our nerve at the end there."
Meanwhile, Pakistan's stand-in captain Muneeba Ali expressed hope that her team could still qualify for the semi-finals. In addition to beating New Zealand, Pakistan must also significantly improve their net run rate, which currently lags behind both New Zealand and India.
"We know that the pool is still open. We have a chance to win tomorrow's match and if we win by a good margin, we have a chance to qualify for the semi-finals," Muneeba said. Pakistan will welcome back their skipper, Fatima Sana, who missed the previous match after returning home due to the death of her father.
In Group B, England secured a 10-wicket win over Scotland. Maia Bouchier and Danni Wyatt-Hodge put together an unbeaten century partnership, with Bouchier hitting 62 off 34 balls and Wyatt-Hodge contributing 51 off 26 balls. This win leaves England on top of Group B as they edge closer to a semi-final spot.
Scotland, who were competing in the tournament for the first time, finished winless. "Pretty tough tournament in general but a massive honour to be here and to be leading the team out in a tournament like this," Scotland captain Kathryn Bryce said. "Only learnings to be taken from here."
The Britain Meets India 2024 report said 667 British companies are already operating in India, generating £47.5 billion in revenue and employing over 516,000 people. (Representational image: iStock)
UK BUSINESSES are increasing their focus on India as a key market following the UK–India Free Trade Agreement (FTA), according to Grant Thornton’s latest International Business Report (IBR).
The report found that 72 per cent of UK firms now see India as a major international growth market, up from 61 per cent last year.
While only 28 per cent currently operate in India, 73 per cent of those without a presence plan to enter the market, including 13 per cent within the next year.
The Britain Meets India 2024 report said 667 British companies are already operating in India, generating £47.5 billion in revenue and employing over 516,000 people.
Among Indian firms, 99 per cent of those already in the UK plan to expand, while nearly 90 per cent of those not yet present intend to set up operations.
Anuj Chande, Partner and Head of South Asia Business Group at Grant Thornton UK, said: “The shift we’re seeing is clear: UK mid-market businesses are no longer asking ‘why India’ — they are asking ‘how soon’.
“With 73 per cent of firms planning to establish operations in India and over half of existing players looking to scale up within a year, this is a pivotal moment. The UK–India FTA is a game-changer, reducing entry barriers and accelerating opportunity, but it won’t remove the complexity of operating in a fragmented and dynamic market.”
Chande added that the recent UK trade delegation accompanying the Prime Minister’s visit has added to the impetus to trade and invest with India.
However, 63 per cent of UK firms cited regulation and foreign exchange controls as the main barriers to operating in India, while 38 per cent mentioned infrastructure gaps. For Indian companies, tariffs, regulation, and the UK’s fragmented regulatory system were the key concerns.
Despite the challenges, 21 per cent of UK businesses said they had no concerns about the FTA and viewed it as wholly beneficial.
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