India have handed Pakistan one of their heaviest defeats in the shortest format, winning by seven wickets in a Women’s T20 Asia Cup group-stage match. Pakistan were bowled out for 55 — their lowest-ever total in T20 internationals — and India chased down the 56-run target in just 8.4 overs.
Spin Does the Damage
Pakistan started steadily, reaching 27 without loss, before the innings collapsed dramatically. After Muneeba Ali was dismissed for 13, wickets fell in a heap — Pakistan lost all ten wickets for just 28 more runs and were bowled out for 55 in 18.1 overs.
India’s spinners ran riot, accounting for nine of the ten wickets between them, with Sree Charani leading the charts with a three-wicket haul. Shafali Verma also chipped in with a wicket. Barring Shawaal Zulfiqar and Muneeba Ali, not a single Pakistan batter managed to reach double figures, with several caught playing across the line against the turning ball.
A Record for Harmanpreet
Chasing 56, India finished on 57 for 3. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur remained unbeaten on 18, with Deepti Sharma unbeaten on 12, as the pair steered India home safely. Pakistan captain Fatima Sana was the lone bright spot for her side, taking all three Indian wickets to finish with 3 for 17 — but defending 55 was always going to demand support from the other end, and it never arrived.
The match was historic for Harmanpreet, who captained India for the 150th time in T20 internationals — the first cricketer, male or female, to reach the milestone.
India on Top of Group A
The win extended India’s dominance in the fixture — they now lead Pakistan 15-3 in T20 internationals and 7-1 in the Women’s T20 Asia Cup alone — and ensured India finish in pole position in Group A. It continues a golden run for the women’s side after their World Cup triumph, even as cricket’s grassroots buzz grows in Arunachal.
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