Charani stars as India crush Pakistan in huge Asia Cup victory

Shree Charani’s spell of three wickets for seven runs turned Pakistan’s innings into a collapse and powered India to a seven-wicket win in the Women’s Asia Cup.

Pakistan chose to bat at Dubai International Cricket Stadium and made a modest start. Muneeba Ali scored 13 from 15 balls and Shawaal Zulfiqar made 14, but the innings unravelled after Charani trapped Zulfiqar lbw. The spinner struck again in the same over when Gull Feroza was caught for a duck, then dismissed Ayesha Zafar soon afterwards.

Pakistan fell from 27-1 to 35-6 as India’s bowlers kept attacking. Prema Rawat took three wickets for nine runs, Deepti Sharma claimed two for five, and Shafali Verma dismissed Muneeba. Fatima Sana was trapped lbw without scoring, Eyman Fatima was run out for five, and Pakistan’s last wickets fell soon after. Tuba Hassan’s dismissal for nine ended the innings at 55 in 18.1 overs.

India’s chase began quickly but briefly appeared vulnerable after Pakistan captain Fatima Sana removed Shafali Verma and took two more wickets. Shafali made 12 from six balls, Pratika Rawal scored four and Smriti Mandhana made nine, leaving India 29-3 after 3.6 overs.

Harmanpreet Kaur then steadied the innings with an unbeaten 18 from 18 balls, including a four and a six. Deepti Sharma added an unbeaten 12 from 14 balls. The pair completed the chase at 57-3 in 8.4 overs, giving India victory with 68 balls to spare.