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Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif has hailed India’s historic Women’s ODI World Cup victory, saying the achievement will not only inspire players in India but also encourage young girls in Pakistan and other nations where women face restrictions from pursuing sports. Team India, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, defeated South Africa by 52 runs in the final at DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai, on Sunday night to lift their maiden ODI World Cup trophy. “India’s win will help improve the situation” Speaking to IANS, Latif said the win will have a far-reaching impact beyond India’s borders.“Pakistan’s situation is difficult right now; many girls face restrictions from their families. It might happen in India too in some places, but this victory will help improve that situation,” Latif said. He congratulated the Indian team for their “outstanding display” and credited the BCCI’s strong infrastructure for helping women’s cricket reach new heights.“With the capacity that the BCCI has, they’ll be able to make it even grander. The more support the women’s game gets, the better it will be,” he added. “A huge win that will change women’s cricket” Latif praised the Indian players for scripting history and said the triumph will elevate women’s cricket in the country.“It’s a big victory for India because men’s cricket has always dominated the spotlight. Now, even the big names — Sachin Tendulkar, Rohit Sharma — were there to watch the match. This will help bring Indian women’s cricket onto a larger canvas,” he said.He added that this win should not be a “one-off success” but the beginning of greater milestones for the team. Praise for Deepti Sharma and Richa Ghosh Latif also lauded Deepti Sharma and Richa Ghosh for their crucial roles in India’s World Cup campaign.“Deepti bowled exceptionally well and took five wickets in the final. She broke key partnerships and helped India make a comeback at a critical stage,” he said. He described Richa Ghosh as a “match-winner” for India:“Richa was very powerful — she played short but impactful innings that changed the course of games. Some innings may be short, but the players who play them are big stars,” Latif noted. India’s journey to victory India’s path to the title included a dramatic semi-final win against Australia, where the team chased a record total, setting up their dream finale against South Africa.With consistent performances across departments, India’s victory marked a new era for women’s cricket in the country.
