SYLHET: All-rounder Nida Dar shone with a brilliant half-century as she blasted 56 off 37 before picking two wickets to aid Pakistan women’s team beat India by 13 runs in the Women’s Asia Cup, here on Friday.
Set to chase 138 runs, India were bowled out for 124 as Pakistan bowlers stormed through the strong Indian batting lineup.
Hashra Sandhu had the initial breakthrough for Pakistan as she sent back Sabbhineni Meghana (15 off 14) in the fourth over before she dismissed star batter Smriti Mandhana after she scored 17 off 19.
Pakistan bowlers put on a combined effort to thwart the Indian batters from reaching the target and picked wickets at regular intervals.
Wicket-keeper batter Richa Gosh resisted lately with a valiant knock of 26 off 13 and was about to turn the table when Sadia Iqbal dismissed her as she tried to hit a six.
For Pakistan, Sandhu grabbed three wickets while Dar and Sadia made two scalps each. Aimen Anwar and Tuba Hasan also had a wicket to their credit.
Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Pakistan openers provided an unimpressive start of 26 runs before Pooja Vastrakar had the first breakthrough as she dismissed Sidra Ameen (11 off 14) in the fifth over.
Muneeba Ali soon followed the suit and fell prey to Deepti Sharma after scoring 17 off 17. However, the fifth-wicket partnership of 76 runs between skipper Bismah Maroof and Dar took the team out of the crisis.
The pair moved the scoreboard at an accelerating pace between the 7th and 16th over, aiding the Green Shirts to reach a respectable total in the allotted 20 overs.
Bismah played a crucial knock of 32 off 35 before she was removed by Renuka Singh.
The next two batters Aliya Riaz (7) and Ayesha Naseem (9) fell cheaply in the final overs of the game while attempting to hit big.
For India, Deepti Sharma starred with the ball as she produced sensational figures of 3/27 while Pooja dismissed two Pakistan batters.
