.jpg)
Women’s Asia Cup 2024: India kicked off their Women’s Asia Cup title defense in dominant fashion, securing a comprehensive 7-wicket victory over Pakistan in Dambulla on Friday, July 19. The Indian bowling attack, led by Deepti Sharma and Shreyanka Patil, dismantled Pakistan’s batting lineup, restricting them to a modest total of 108 runs.
After winning the toss and opting to bat, Pakistan struggled to find their footing early in the match. Pooja Vastrakar’s double strike in successive overs left Pakistan reeling at 26 for 2 within the first four overs. Despite Sidra Ameen’s resilient effort with the bat, her teammates, including captain Nida Dar and Aliya Riaz, failed to make significant contributions.
Renuka Singh’s consecutive dismissals of Ameen and Javed further plunged Pakistan into trouble, reducing them to 61 for 6 by the 13th over. A brief partnership between Tuba Hassan and Fatima Sana added 31 runs, offering a glimmer of hope. However, Deepti Sharma’s impactful 18th over, which included two wickets and a run-out, dashed Pakistan’s hopes, leaving them at 94 for 9. Shreyanka Patil wrapped up the innings, with Pakistan all out for 108 runs in the final over.
India’s chase began with a commanding performance from openers Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana. The duo’s 85-run stand-off of 57 balls set the tone for a swift victory. Initially cautious, they soon accelerated, exploiting the powerplay to the fullest. Smriti Mandhana’s aggressive batting, particularly against Tuba Hassan, saw her score 45 runs off 31 balls before being dismissed. Despite losing a few wickets, including Shafali and Hemalatha, Harmanpreet Kaur and Jemimah Rodrigues ensured India crossed the finish line with 35 balls to spare.
India’s bowling unit, which has been in impressive form, played a crucial role in this victory. Pooja Vastrakar’s early breakthroughs, Deepti Sharma’s consistent performance, and Shreyanka Patil’s continued success highlighted India’s strength in bowling. Radha Yadav, despite being wicketless, showcased excellent control.
As India prepares to face UAE on July 21, the team’s focus will be on maintaining their bowling consistency while the batters continue to deliver. This strong start reaffirms India’s status as tournament favourites, following their remarkable performance in the South Africa series.
