Women's Asia Cup: Pakistan prevails over India in a low-scoring thriller

Pakistan came into the match having lost a battle against Thailand – only 24 hours before the game against India. But they left the match against India having sealed a close 13-run win at Sylhet on Friday (October 7). 

Much of that owed to Nida Dar’s all-around excellence (56* & 2-23 in 4 overs). And a special mention must go to India’s batters for throwing away what was an easy win for all intents and purposes. 

But take nothing away from Pakistan – they took their chances when it mattered most and made the most of whatever opportunities they got. 

Winning the toss and opting to bat first was an unusual call. And when Pakistan ended the first innings at 137-6, many felt the team would have been better off chasing. 

Because while their top order got started, no one made a big score. And, perhaps more importantly, no one who played with the required intent to see things through. 

The strike rates of their top 3 batters read as follows – Muneeba Ali 100, Sidra Ameen 78.57, Bisma Maroof 91.43. Omaima Sohail got out for a second-ball duck, so a strike rate didn’t even register in front of her name. 

Dar’s fireworks lower down the order gave Pakistan something to bowl at. But, at the middle innings break, only a brave betting person would have put any money on Pakistan to walk away as the winners of this game. 

The Indian bowling, led by Deepti Sharma (3-27), would have been happy with the job they did in the first innings. 

Yet while India carried on that momentum early in the innings, there were indications of what was to come quite early. 

Sabbhineni Meghana and Smriti Mandhana perished after getting starts, picking outfielders off the bowling of Nashra Sandhu. 

To top things off, both were shots that belied logic – mainly because the target at hand was low, and there was no need to take any risk. 

Yet the theme continued. Jemimah Rodriders was removed by Nida Dar, picking out Tuba Hassan, whereas Hassan removed Dayalan Hemalatha with an excellent ball that uprooted the stumps. 

Harmanpreet Kaur – India’s skipper and arguably best batsman – came in at number 7 after perennial lower-order bats Pooja Vastrakar (5) and Deepti (16) were dismissed. 

The skipper only made a run-a-ball 12, but the biggest hope came courtesy of Richa Ghosh, who made a 13-ball 26 before – you guessed it – picking out a fielder while going for a big shot. 

India’s lower order too was eventually cleaned up, and Pakistan celebrated a win that would have seemed unlikely just 24 hours ago. 

For India, however, it was about yet another loss wherein a win seemed the more accessible result.