Asia Cup
In a commanding performance at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium in Dambulla on Friday, the Indian Women’s cricket team secured a convincing seven-wicket victory over arch-rivals Pakistan in the second match of the Asia Cup.
The win was marked by exceptional contributions from Smriti Mandhana and Deepti Sharma, who played pivotal roles in their team’s triumph.
Chasing a modest target of 109 runs, the Harmanpreet Kaur-led Indian side achieved the required runs with 35 balls to spare.
The opening partnership between Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana was instrumental in setting up the victory.
The duo put together a stellar 85-run stand, providing India with a solid foundation to surpass Pakistan’s total comfortably.
Mandhana, with her extensive experience, scored a crucial 45 runs off 31 balls, hitting nine boundaries before being dismissed by Syeda Aroob Shah.
Her innings showcased her prowess and played a significant role in India’s chase. Verma also contributed significantly with the bat, scoring 40 runs off 29 balls, which included six boundaries and a six.
Pakistan’s bowling attack saw some success with Aroob Shah and Nashra Sandhu taking wickets. Shah claimed 2 wickets for 9 runs, while Sandhu took 1 wicket for 20 runs. Despite their efforts, Pakistan’s total proved insufficient.
Earlier in the match, Pakistan, who chose to bat first, struggled from the outset. Only four batters managed to score in double digits.
Sidra Amin was the top scorer with 25 runs off 35 balls, while Fatima Sana and Tuba Hassan contributed 22 runs each, with Sana scoring off 16 balls and Hassan off 19 balls. The rest of the Pakistani lineup failed to provide substantial resistance.
India’s bowlers delivered a disciplined performance, with every bowler contributing to the dismissal of the Pakistani batters except Radha Yadav.
Deepti Sharma was the standout performer, leading the bowling attack with figures of 3 wickets for 20 runs. Renuka Singh and Shreyanka Patil each took 2 wickets for 14 runs, while Pooja Vastrakar added 2 wickets for 31 runs.
Overall, India’s comprehensive display with both bat and ball ensured a dominant victory over their rivals, reinforcing their position in the Asia Cup and showcasing their readiness for the challenges ahead.
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