Dubai: In a pulsating contest that kept fans on the edge of their seats, India Women snatched a thrilling 6-wicket victory over Pakistan Women in a crucial T20 match, chasing down a tricky target of 106 with seven balls to spare.
Despite moments of tension in the final overs, India held their nerve to emerge victorious in style, cementing their dominance over their arch-rivals.
Chasing Pakistan’s 105/8, India got off to a rocky start when star opener Smriti Mandhana fell early for just seven runs.
However, Shafali Verma provided some much-needed fireworks at the top of the order, smashing a quickfire 32 off 35 balls, including three boundaries. Her aggressive intent gave India the momentum they needed, but her dismissal brought the game back into balance.
However, captain Harmanpreet Kaur stepped up with a determined knock of 29 from 28 balls. Her calm leadership helped stabilize India’s chase before she was forced to retire hurt due to neck pain, leaving her side in a precarious position.
The drama intensified as S Sajana took the crease under immense pressure, but she rose to the occasion. With the game hanging in the balance, Sajana’s fearless boundary in the penultimate over guided India to a much-needed win, showcasing her cool-headed composure in crunch moments.
Pakistan’s bowlers, led by the fiery Fatima Sana (2/23) and the ever-reliable Nida Dar, made India work for every run. Their relentless pressure almost turned the tide, but the Indian batters showed resilience to keep their campaign on track.
Earlier, Pakistan struggled to find any rhythm with the bat, as India’s bowlers proved too sharp and disciplined. Nida Dar’s 28 off 34 balls offered a glimmer of hope, and her 8th-wicket partnership with Syeda Aroob Shah was a highlight, setting a record for Pakistan's highest 8th-wicket stand against India in Women’s T20Is. However, Pakistan’s inability to rotate strike—evidenced by 58 dot balls—proved costly, as they were restricted to a sub-par total.
India’s bowling unit shone brightly, with Arundhati Reddy leading the charge with her brilliant figures of 3/19. Shreyanka Patil was equally impressive, delivering a miserly spell of 4-1-12-2. Deepti Sharma and Asha Sobhana played their part with key breakthroughs, ensuring Pakistan could never build momentum.
With this crucial win, India Women solidified their position in the series, proving their all-round superiority. The victory will boost their confidence as they look to continue their winning ways and extend their dominance over Pakistan.
Brief scores
India Women won by 6 wickets.
Pakistan Women Innings: 105-8 (20 Ov); Muneeba Ali 17, Nida Dar 28, Syeda Aroob Shah 14*; Extras 12; Total 105; Bowling: Arundhati Reddy 4-19-3, Shreyanka Patil 4-12-2.
India Women Innings: 108-4 (18.5 Ov); Shafali Verma 32, Harmanpreet Kaur 29, Deepti Sharma 7*; Extras 6; Total 108. Bowling: Fatima Sana 4-23-2, Sadia Iqbal 4-23-1.
