India crush Pakistan in Asia Cup after record bowling collapse

Pakistan’s innings collapsed from 27 without loss to 55 all out, handing India a seven-wicket victory in the Women’s T20 Asia Cup in Dubai. India chased the target inside nine overs after producing a devastating display with the ball.

Pakistan chose to bat after winning the toss at Dubai International Stadium and initially looked in control. Muneeba Ali made 13 and Shawaal Zulfiqar scored 14 in an opening stand worth 27. Shafali Verma broke through by bowling Muneeba, and Shree Charani struck twice in the sixth over, dismissing Gull Feroza for a duck before removing Zulfiqar.

Pakistan fell to 32 for four in the eighth over and reached 45 for seven by the 13th. Charani and Prema Rawat took three wickets each, with Charani recording 3 for 7 from four overs and Rawat taking 3 for 9. Deepti Sharma claimed two wickets for five runs. Pakistan’s total surpassed its previous women’s T20I low of 63 against India in the 2012 Women’s Twenty20 Asia Cup.

India briefly wobbled during the chase as Pakistan took three wickets. Fatima Sana finished with 3 for 17, but the target offered too little room for a recovery. India reached 57 for three in 8.4 overs, with captain Harmanpreet Kaur unbeaten on 18.

The result gave India six points from three matches and secured its place in the semifinals. Pakistan remained on two points and must beat Hong Kong in its final group match to keep its qualification hopes alive.