In a stunning display of skill and dominance, India’s women’s cricket team triumphed over Pakistan by seven wickets in their Group A encounter at the Women’s Asia Cup 2026, held at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Saturday. This victory not only showcased India’s strength but also marked a significant moment in the tournament, as they finished the group stage at the top of Group A.
Pakistan, opting to bat first, faced a relentless Indian spin attack that dismantled their batting lineup, bowling them out for a mere 55 runs in just 18.1 overs. This total stands as Pakistan’s lowest-ever in T20 International cricket. India’s bowlers, particularly the spinners, were in exceptional form, with Shree Charani and Prema Rawat each taking three wickets, while Deepti Sharma contributed with two wickets. Shafali Verma also added to the tally, ensuring that all ten Pakistani wickets fell to spin.
Charani’s bowling figures of 3 for 7 from four overs and Rawat’s 3 for 9 were particularly impressive, demonstrating their ability to exploit the conditions effectively. Deepti Sharma was economical as well, conceding just five runs while taking two wickets. The collapse of the Pakistani batting order was dramatic, as they lost six wickets for just 15 runs, leaving them reeling at the bottom of the innings. This dismal performance underscored the challenges they faced against a formidable Indian side.
On the batting front, India’s chase was swift and decisive. Shafali Verma set the tone with an aggressive start, scoring 12 runs off just six balls, which included a six. During her innings, she also reached the milestone of 3,000 T20I runs, a testament to her growing stature in women’s cricket. Despite Pakistan's Fatima Sana providing some resistance by taking three wickets for 17 runs, dismissing key players including Shafali, Pratika Rawal, and Smriti Mandhana, the target of 56 runs was far too modest to pose a serious threat to India.
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur played a steady role in the chase, finishing unbeaten on 18 runs off 18 balls. She sealed the victory with a six, bringing the score to 57 for 3 in just 8.4 overs. This win not only highlighted India’s dominance in the tournament but also extended their overall T20I head-to-head record against Pakistan to 15 wins to 3 losses, and their record in the Women’s Asia Cup to 7 wins against 1 loss.
With this victory, India confirmed their place at the top of Group A, having already secured their semi-final spot with previous wins over Thailand and Hong Kong. As they move forward in the Women’s Asia Cup 2026, India will carry the momentum of this convincing win, aiming for further success in the knockout stages of the tournament.
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