It was never a two-sided contest, as the Indian women obliterated the Pakistan batters with ease to cruise to a dominant 7-wicket win over Pakistan women in their campaign opener at the Women’s Asia Cup 2024 on Friday.
Opting to bat first, Pakistan were bowled out for 108 with experienced spinner Deepti Sharma (3/20) emerging as the most successful bowler.
Renuka Singh (2/14) and Pooja Vastrakar (2/31) also chipped in with wickets at crucial juncture to keep Pakistan on a tight leash through their innings.
Vastrakar started off the proceedings, scalping two wickets in her first two overs, as Pakistan slumped to abysmal start.
Despite the regular fall of wicket, a spirited effort from Sidra Ameen ensured that Pakistan stayed in the game, as the Women in Green were led to a fairly good position by 11 overs, standing at 57/3.
But, then disaster struck in the form of Renuka Singh, who removed Ameen and Iram Javed in back-to-back deliveries to push Pakistan on the backfoot.
An unlikely fight though ensued from the likes of Tuba Hassan next, who alongside Fatima Sana, put up a 31-ruin partnership to steer their side away from utter embarrassment.
But, in came Deepti Sharma to wreak havoc next, as three wickets fell in the 18th over, and eventually Shreyanka wrapped up the endeavour to bowl Pakistan out for just 108 runs.
In reply, the opening duo of Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma piled on misery, putting on 85 runs in 9.1 overs.
But then, a spirited fight from spinner Syeda Shah, accompanied by an effort from Nashra Sandhu, saw the Women in Green claim some redemption, as Syeda scalped both openers in her three-over spell of 2/9.
But, India got over the hurdle in due time, in the 15th over, with Jemimah Rodrigues sweeping away Sadia Iqbal for a boundary to seal the 7-wicket win.
(with agency inputs)
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