India thrashed Pakistan by seven wickets in the Women’s Asia Cup in Dubai on Saturday after bowling them out for their lowest-ever T20I total.
Pakistan were dismissed for just 55 in 18.1 overs after losing their final six wickets for eight runs. They had reached 27 without loss in the fifth over, but India’s spinners soon took control.
Muneeba Ali top-scored with 13 from 15 balls, while Shawaal Zulfiqar made 14 from 14. No other Pakistan batter reached double figures, with captain Fatima Sana among three players dismissed for ducks.
Shree Charani and Prema Rawat took three wickets each, conceding seven and nine runs respectively. Deepti Sharma claimed two and Shafali Verma one, while the other wicket fell to a run-out.
The total was Pakistan’s lowest in Women’s T20Is, beating their previous low of 56 against New Zealand in Dubai at last year’s T20 World Cup.
India’s chase started with Shafali hitting the first ball for six. She then reached 3,000 T20I runs with a single from the next delivery, becoming the youngest woman to reach the landmark at 22 years and 220 days.
Fatima Sana briefly raised Pakistan’s hopes by dismissing Shafali, Pratika Rawal and Smriti Mandhana as India slipped to 29 for three. But the tiny target meant there was little pressure on the Indian batters.
Harmanpreet Kaur remained unbeaten on 18, while Deepti Sharma made 12 not out as India reached 56 for three with 68 balls remaining.
The win was India’s fifth straight T20I victory over Pakistan. India, already through to the semi-finals, have won all three of their Group A matches. Pakistan have one win from two games and will face Hong Kong on Monday.
