India’s spinners dismantled Pakistan for their lowest-ever Women’s T20I total before completing a comfortable seven-wicket chase in Dubai.
DUBAI: India produced a dominant bowling performance to defeat Pakistan by seven wickets in their Women’s T20 Asia Cup Group A clash at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Saturday, September 5, leaving Pakistan under greater pressure in the race for the semi-finals.
Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat but struggled against India’s disciplined attack, eventually being bowled out for just 55 in 18.1 overs — their lowest-ever total in Women’s T20 Internationals.
The innings began steadily, with Muneeba Ali and Shawaal Zulfiqar putting together a 27-run opening partnership. Muneeba was dismissed for 13 from 15 balls in the fifth over, after which Pakistan’s batting collapsed as wickets fell at regular intervals.
Shawaal was the only other Pakistan batter to reach double figures, scoring 14 from 14 deliveries. India’s spinners then tightened the pressure, with Shree Charani and Prema Rawat claiming three wickets apiece. Deepti Sharma added two wickets for just five runs. Charani was named Player of the Match after finishing with figures of 3-7.
India needed only 56 runs for victory and completed the chase in 8.4 overs for the loss of three wickets. Shafali Verma set the tone by hitting a six from the first ball of the innings before being dismissed for 12.
Pakistan captain Fatima Sana briefly gave her team hope by taking all three Indian wickets. She finished with figures of 3-17, but Pakistan’s modest total left India with little room for pressure. Harmanpreet Kaur remained unbeaten on 18, while Deepti Sharma finished on 12 not out.
The match also marked a major milestone for Harmanpreet, who captained India for the 150th time in T20 internationals. She became the first cricketer, male or female, to lead a team in 150 T20Is.
India remained unbeaten and topped Group A after the victory. Pakistan, meanwhile, will face Hong Kong on Monday, September 7, with the result potentially crucial to their semi-final hopes.
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