Women’s Asia Cup 2026: India dominate Pakistan, chase 56 with ease

Saturday’s Women’s Asia Cup encounter at Dubai saw India pull off a commanding victory over Pakistan. After winning the toss, Pakistan chose to set a target but managed only 55 runs in 18.1 overs, leaving India a modest 56 to win.

The opening stand between Muniba Ali and Shawal Zulfikar yielded 27 runs before Muniba fell after a 13‑run cameo that included a boundary. Shri Charnie then removed Gul Firuza for a duck and soon after dismissed Shawal Zulfikar, tightening the pressure.

Pakistan’s middle order could not recover. The score lingered at 29 for three and soon slipped to 35 for six. A brief resistance from Umm‑e‑Hani and Emaan Fatima added ten runs, but the partnership broke and the innings collapsed.

India’s bowlers were ruthless. Shri Charnie delivered 4 overs, conceding only 7 runs and claiming three wickets. Prema Rawat mirrored the effort with 3 wickets for 9 runs. Dipti Sharma added two wickets for 5 runs in 3.1 overs, while Chefali Verma contributed one wicket for 10 runs.

The Indian side has been in scintillating form throughout the tournament, having thrashed Thailand by 94 runs and followed up with a 137‑run victory over Hong Kong and China. With these wins, India secured a semi‑final berth and now chase a third consecutive triumph to advance to the playoffs.

India’s XI features captain Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, Chefali Verma, Pratika Rawal, Bharti Fulmali, wicket‑keeper Richa Ghosh, Dipti Sharma, Prema Rawat, Nandini Sharma, Shri Charnie and Kranti Gawde.

Pakistan’s squad, led by Fatima Sana, included Muniba Ali (wk), Shawal Zulfikar, Javeria Khan, Ayesha Jafar, Sadf Shams, Umm‑e‑Hani, Iman Fatima, Tuba Hasan, Nashra Sandhu and Sadiya Iqbal.