Internet Desk: India women continued its dominance over Pakistan as they beat their arch rivals by 5 wickets in a thrilling round robin league tie of the Twenty20 Asia Cup in Bangkok on Tuesday. The Indian eves successfully chased the target of 98 runs with four balls to spare. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur took two wickets and followed it up with an unbeaten 26 runs.
The victory was all the more sweet as it comes on the back of the International Cricket Council (ICC) docking India six points for skipping three matches against Pakistan in the ICC Women’s Championship.
Kaur won the toss and elected to field first. The spinners Ekta Bisht and Anuja Patel ran through the top order of Pakistan. Slow left-arm spinner Bisht was the pick of the bowlers with 3/20 while Patel, an off-break bowler, conceded just 12 from her quota of four overs apart from taking two wickets.
Kaur later took two more wickets to rule out any chance of a late comeback from Pakistan as they managed to score 97/7 from their stipulated 20 overs.Only three Pakistan batswomen — Ayesha Zafar (28), Nain Abidi (37 n.o) and Iram Javed (10) were able to get to double figures.
India eves made a solid start while chasing as experienced Mithali Raj and Smriti Mandhana gave India a solid platform with a 27-run partnership, before Mandhana was dismissed for 14. India then lost two quick wickets within the space of five runs before Kaur joined to lend some stability.
Mithali, who looked set to take India home was dismissed for 36 runs, caught and bowled by Pakistan off-spinner Sana Mir in the 17th over. Requiring 9 runs from 12 balls, India lost Jhulan of the first ball of 19th over. But Kaur ensured that there are no more hiccups as she guided her team home safely with four balls to spare.
India maintained their unbeaten streak in the tournament so far, having beaten Bangladesh (by 64 runs) and Thailand (by 9 wickets) earlier. India is scheduled to play Sri Lanka and Nepal on Thursday and Friday respectively. The final is slated to be held on Sunday.