India starts campaign with a clinical win over Pakistan
The Hindu
India's dominant win over Pakistan in Women's T20 Asia Cup opener with aggressive batting and strong bowling display.
After Deepti & Co. restrict Nida’s side to a meagre 108, openers Smriti and Shafali put on an aggressive partnership of 85 as the Women in Blue romp home with seven wickets and 35 balls to spare.
India started its Women’s T20 Asia Cup title defence on a rousing note, beating Pakistan by seven wickets here on Friday.
India bundled out Pakistan for a below-par 108, after being asked to bowl, and then chased down the target with as many as 35 balls remaining.
Chasing 109, Indian openers Shafali Verma (40) and Smriti Mandhana (45) was at their best as they toyed with the Pakistani attack with an aggressive display of batting.
The duo hit two fours and a six off Tuba Hassan to collect 15 runs in the sixth over and the seventh over, bowled by Nashra Sandhu, yielded 21 runs with Smriti hitting the bowler for five boundaries.
Pakistan tasted success in the 10th over when Smriti was dismissed by Syeda Aroob Shah and Shafali departed in the 12th over. But the damage had already been done.
Though Hemalatha didn’t last long, skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and Jemimah Rodrigues took home the Indians in the 15th over.