Left-arm spinner captures 3-7 to fold Pakistan for 55; India reach target in 8.4 overs in Women’s Asia Cup
India Women demolished Pakistan by seven wickets in their Group A match of the Women’s Asia Cup at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium thanks to Shree Charani’s devastating spell.
Charani returned figures of 3-7 from four overs as Pakistan, after choosing to bat, collapsed from 27-1 to 35-6 and were eventually dismissed for just 55 in 18.1 overs.
India needed only 8.4 overs to overhaul the modest target, reaching 57-3 with Harmanpreet Kaur unbeaten on 18 and Deepti Sharma on 12.
Pakistan made a reasonable start before their innings unravelled dramatically. Muneeba Ali struck 13 from 15 balls and Shawaal Zulfiqar made run-a-ball 14, but neither could build a substantial partnership.
Charani broke through when she trapped Zulfiqar lbw, and the spinner struck again in the same over when Gull Feroza was caught for a duck.
Ayesha Zafar fell to Charani soon afterwards, leaving Pakistan at 29-4 after 5.6 overs.
The pressure intensified as India’s bowlers attacked relentlessly. Prema Rawat claimed three wickets for nine runs, while Deepti Sharma took two for five. Shafali Verma also chipped in with the wicket of Muneeba.
Pakistan’s lower order offered little resistance. Fatima Sana was trapped lbw by Deepti without scoring, while Eyman Fatima was run out for five.
By the time Umm-e-Hani and Nashra Sandhu departed, Pakistan were 54-9. Tuba Hassan’s dismissal for nine ended the innings at 55.
Charani’s four-over spell was particularly economical, conceding fewer than two runs an over while accounting for three of Pakistan’s top-order batters.
India’s chase began explosively but briefly threatened to become interesting when captain Fatima Sana removed Shafali Verma and then struck twice more.
Shafali smashed 12 from just six balls, including a four and a six, before being caught and bowled for the first wicket.
Pratika Rawal followed for four and Smriti Mandhana was dismissed for nine, leaving India 29-3 after 3.6 overs.
Pakistan, however, could not sustain the pressure.
Kaur steadied the innings with an unbeaten 18 from 18 balls, including a four and a six, while Deepti provided calm support with an unbeaten 12 from 14.
The pair saw India home without further damage, sealing victory with 68 balls to spare.
