India start with a win in the 2024 Women's Asia Cup

The Asia Cup began with a historic result as Nepal won their first-ever game in the tournament on Friday (July 19), edging ahead of the United Arab Emirates by six wickets. The evening clash of the opening day, the big game between India and Pakistan, paled in comparison as Harmanpreet Kaur’s side registered a comfortable win with 35 balls to spare.

Pakistan elected to bat first in Dambulla but India snatched the early advantage as Pooja Vastrakar sent back opener Gull Feroza in the second over. Muneeba Ali (11 in 11) and Sidra Ameen (25 in 35) provided some resistance but could not score fluently on a slow pitch as Deepti Sharma and Shreyanka Patil restricted the run rate during the middle overs.

Pakistan kept losing regular wickets but Sidra’s dismissal in the 13 over was the game-changer. At 61-4 in 12.4 overs at the stage, they could make 47 more runs for the last six wickets as they collapsed to 108 all out. Seven batters registered single-digit scores with no player crossing 25.

It was yet another memorable showing for Deepti, who picked up 3-20 in her four overs, taking her tally to 37 T20I wickets at an average of 16.40 since the start of last year. She was aptly supported by newcomer Patil, who ended with 3-14 in 3.2 overs.

India’s openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Varma made light work of the run chase, racing away to 85 in 56 balls before the left-hander departed for a 31-ball 45. India faced a slight stutter as they lost two more wickets thereafter but Harmanpreet Kaur and Jemimah Rodrigues took India over the line.

India’s next game in the event is on Sunday against the UAE. Pakistan will also play on Sunday in the night match against Nepal.

Watch the highlights of IND v PAK here:

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