Pakistan won by 13 runs, first T20 win over arch-rivals India since 2016

A disappointing performance by the batsmen led India to a 13-run loss to Pakistan in the Women’s Asia Cup T20 match here on Friday. This marked Pakistan’s first victory in six years over arch-rivals India. India’s batting performance, one of Asia’s strongest teams, was disappointing as the entire team was reduced to just 124 runs in 19.4 overs, chasing a score of 137 for six made by Pakistan. On the other hand, there was a spectacular comeback for Pakistan, who had suffered an upset from Thailand less than 24 hours ago.

Half of India’s team had reached the pavilion on the score of 65 runs, they had to face all kinds of problems in which most of the players including star player Smriti Mandhana (17 runs in 19 balls) easily lost their wickets. Prior to this match, India’s winning record over Pakistan was 10-2. Pakistan had earlier achieved victory over India in 2016 during the T20 World Cup in New Delhi. Pooja Vastrakar was run out in an attempt to steal a run on poor fielding while Dayalan Hemlata (20 off 22 balls) disappointed her team by not taking advantage of a good start.

Questions were also raised on Harmanpreet Kaur’s fitness as she came out to bat at number 7 and was dismissed cheaply. Disappointed Harmanpreet said after the match, “At the crease we were trying to give chances to other batsmen, but I think it got costly today. This goal could be achieved. We could not rotate the strike in the middle overs. ” India needed 61 runs in the last six overs. Richa Ghosh (26 off 13 balls) hit three sixes against the spinners to get the Indian team back into the match but she was caught in the deep in 19 overs.

Indian hopes also ended with his dismissal. Earlier this was a better performance of Pakistani batsmen against arch-rivals India. He scored 137 for six with Nida Dar’s unbeaten half-century. Nida used her feet well, especially against the spinners. He scored 56 not out in his 37-ball innings with the help of five fours and a six. Apart from him, Pakistan captain Bismah Maroof contributed 32 runs. Both of them also played an important partnership of 76 runs in 58 balls.

Deepti Sharma was the most successful of the Indian bowlers, taking three wickets for 27 runs in four overs. Deepti first stumped Pakistani opener Muniba Ali (17 runs) and then two balls later, Omema Sohil was dismissed leg before for zero. Bismah was also lucky on eight when the umpire turned down Rajeshwari Gaikwad’s appeal for a leg-before. She was looking leg before. Pakistan scored 61 for three in 10 overs. Nida provided some momentum to the innings as she hit a four and a six off D Hemlata to make 15 runs in the over. Apart from Deepti, Pooja Vastrakar took two and Renuka Singh took one wicket. India’s fielding was also lackluster on several occasions, with substitute Shefali Verma missing an easy stumping opportunity.