Dambulla, Sri Lanka

Harmanpreet Kaur’s Team India started the Women’s Asia Cup 2024 on a winning note on Friday (July 19) after they beat arch-rivals Pakistan on the opening day. Led by Deepti Sharma’s three wickets and Smriti Mandaha’s brilliant 45-run knock, the Women in Blue beat Pakistan by seven wickets at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium in Dambulla, Sri Lanka. Interestingly, India won the contest with 35 balls to spare, highlighting their dominance in the match.

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India win one-sided contest

Having been tasked to chase 109, India’s opening pair of Smriti Mandhana (45) and Shafali Verma (40) stitched a partnership of 85 runs before the former was dismissed. Needing just 24 more runs to win India would then lose Shafali followed by Dayalan Hemalatha (14) as they lost brief momentum. However, it was the mini partnership of skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (5) and Jemimah Rodrigues (3) that got them over the line.

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Syeda Aroob Shah bagged two wickets for Pakistan while Nashra Sandhu had one but were not helped by the batters having 108 runs to defend.

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India restrict Pakistan

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Thanks to an excellent bowling display, India was at the top of their game as they bowled out Pakistan for 108 in 19.2 overs. Only four batters got into double figures for Pakistan with Sidra Ameen (25) top-scoring for the side. While Deepti Sharma was the star with three wickets, three other bowlers also made their mark.

Renuka Singh, Pooja Vastrakar and Shreyanka Patil all ended with two wickets each to highlight India’s dominance.

India is next in action on Sunday (July 21) when they face United Arab Emirates in their second Group A match. The win will see India book their berth in the semifinal if results go their way while India also takes on Nepal women in their last group stage match.