Pakistan hit new low against India

Pakistan’s women suffered a humiliating collapse against arch-rivals India on Saturday, being bowled out for their lowest-ever total in T20 internationals before India cruised to a seven-wicket victory in the Women’s Asia Cup in Dubai.

Playing their 200th WT20I, Pakistan looked set for a competitive total after reaching 27 without loss in the fifth over. But once India’s spinners came into the attack, their innings fell apart spectacularly as they were bundled out for just 55 in 18.1 overs.

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It was Pakistan’s lowest total in the format, eclipsing their previous low of 56, which also came in Dubai against New Zealand during last year’s T20 World Cup.

Muneeba Ali’s dismissal by Shafali Verma triggered the collapse, with Pakistan losing six wickets for just eight runs. Muneeba made 13 off 15 balls while Shawaal Zulfiqar scored 14 off 14, but no other batter reached double figures. Captain Fatima Sana was among three Pakistan batters dismissed for ducks.

India’s left-arm spinner Shree Charani and leg-spinner Prema Rawat did most of the damage, taking three wickets apiece for seven and nine runs respectively. Deepti Sharma claimed two, while Shafali took one, meaning India’s spinners accounted for nine of Pakistan’s 10 wickets, with the other falling to a run-out.

India’s chase began with a flourish as Shafali launched the first ball for six. She then took a single off the next delivery to become the youngest woman to reach 3,000 runs in WT20Is, at 22 years and 220 days.

Pakistan captain Fatima briefly threatened to make a contest of it, dismissing Shafali and Pratika Rawal in the second over before removing Smriti Mandhana in her next spell. India were reduced to 29 for three, but the modest target left them with little to worry about.

Captain Harmanpreet Kaur remained unbeaten on 18 off 18 balls, while Deepti finished on 12 off 14 as India reached the target with 68 balls to spare.

The victory was India’s fifth successive WT20I win over Pakistan. India, already through to the semifinals from Group A, stayed perfect in the competition with three wins from three games, while Pakistan have one win and one defeat from two matches and will face Hong Kong on Monday.