India Women book Asia Cup final spot with convincing win against Pakistan
India Women achieved an easy victory in a low scoring match against Pakistan Women by 7 wickets and maintained their unbeaten streak to reach the final of the Asia Cup. Ekta Bisht, who picked up 3 wickets for 14 runs, did the trick for Indian team with the ball and was adjudged player of the match.
Having won the toss and after opting to bat first, things didnāt turn out as expected for Pakistan Women. In what turned out to be a virtual semi-final, Pakistan
Batting first, the Pakistani batters failed to score runs quickly and struggled to stay on the wicket. Nahida Khan (18) and Sana Mir (20*) were the only two batters to reach the double-digit mark for the side. On the other hand, the Indian spinners - Anuja Patil (1/18), Bisht, Poonam Yadav (1/11) and Deepti Sharma (1/13) - kept the pressure on Pakistan's batters, and made crucial incisions.
While chasing down a modest target, India suffered an early blow as Anam Amin got the wicket of experienced Mithali Raj (0) in the opening over. The 25-year-old left-arm spinner also sent Deepti Singh back to the pavilion in the third over. Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur, however, calmed the nerves in the Indian camp and with a stand of 65 for the third wicket won the match for the blues.Ā
Having reached the final, India, who have eight points from five matches to their name, would be looking to clinch their seventh Asia Cup.Ā