India Rout Pakistan by Seven Wickets, Spinners Set the Tone

India defeated Pakistan by seven wickets in the Women’s Asia Cup T20 on Saturday, with their spinners producing a dominant bowling performance to dismiss the arch-rivals for just 55 runs in 18.1 overs, their lowest-ever total in the shortest format.

India’s spin attack was led by Shree Charani and Prema Rawat, who took three wickets each. Charani returned figures of 3/7 in four overs, while Rawat claimed 3/9 in four overs. Shafali Verma took one wicket for 10 runs in three overs, while Deepti Sharma completed the innings with two wickets for five runs in 3.1 overs.

Pakistan initially made a confident start after opting to bat, reaching 27 without loss in a little over four overs. Openers Muneeba Ali and Shawaal Zulfiqar scored 13 and 14 respectively, but Pakistan soon lost wickets in quick succession.

India reduced Pakistan from 27 without loss to 36 for six, with six wickets falling for only nine runs. Apart from Muneeba and Zulfiqar, none of Pakistan’s batters could reach double figures.

India’s bowlers delivered 78 dot balls during the 18.1 overs. Charani dismissed Gull Feroza and Zulfiqar, while Rawat removed Sadaf Shamas. Deepti dismissed Pakistan captain Fatima Sana for a duck. Eyman Fatima was run out following a mix-up with Umm-e Hani, who was later dismissed by Deepti.

Harmanpreet Kaur, captaining India for the 150th time in T20 internationals, introduced the spinners after Pakistan’s strong opening partnership and the move produced immediate results.

India then completed the chase in just 8.4 overs despite losing Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal cheaply. Harmanpreet remained unbeaten on 18, while Deepti Sharma was not out on 12. Harmanpreet finished the match with a six down the ground.

The victory extended India’s record in the Women’s T20 Asia Cup against Pakistan to 7-1, with Pakistan having won one match in the tournament.