Dubai, September 5, 2026: India extended their unbeaten run in the Women’s Asia Cup 2026 with a seven-wicket win over Pakistan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Saturday, after their spinners bundled Pakistan out for 55 — their lowest total in women’s T20 internationals.
Chasing 56, India reached 57 for three in 8.4 overs, winning with 68 balls to spare. The result kept Harmanpreet Kaur’s side on top of Group A after they had already secured a place in the semi-finals.
India spinners dismantle Pakistan
Pakistan, playing their 200th T20I, chose to bat first and made a steady start despite Muneeba Ali being dropped twice by Pratika Rawal. Shafali Verma ended the opening stand by breaking Muneeba’s defence.
Sree Charani then turned the innings sharply in India’s favour. The left-arm spinner struck twice in her first over, dismissing Gull Feroza and Shawaal Zulfiqar, before removing Ayesha Zafar in the eighth over.
Prema Rawat and Deepti Sharma kept up the pressure. Rawat bowled Sadaf Shamas, while Deepti trapped Pakistan captain Fatima Sana lbw in the following over.
Pakistan lost six wickets for just 12 runs and were 36 for six at the halfway stage. Eyman Fatima was later run out, and Umm-e-Hani top-edged Rawat to Nandani Sharma.
Tuba Hassan took Pakistan past 50 with a boundary, but Rawat struck again when Nashra Sandhu edged behind to Richa Ghosh. Deepti finished the innings by having Tuba stumped as Pakistan were bowled out for 55.
Sree Charani returned 3/7, Prema Rawat took 3/9 and Deepti Sharma finished with 2/5.
Charani, 22, was named Player of the Match and said she had focused on her strengths and field placements.
“It’s a great feeling to contribute for my team. Just wanted to bowl to my strengths and according to my field. I just wanted to give more revvs on the ball, that helped me,” she said.
Asked about being one wicket short of 50 T20I wickets, Charani said: “I think it’s normal, every day. It will be special, but I want to continue to do more for my country. I want to keep going with my good work.”
Fatima Sana strikes, but India finish chase quickly
Shafali set the tone in the chase by hitting the first ball for six and crossed 3,000 T20I runs in the opening over. Pakistan captain Fatima Sana then removed her with a caught-and-bowled dismissal.
Fatima struck again in the same over when Pratika Rawal edged to wicketkeeper Muneeba Ali. She followed that by dismissing Smriti Mandhana in her next over to leave India 29 for three.
Harmanpreet, playing her 150th T20I as captain, and Deepti made sure there was no further setback. The pair guided India to the target in 8.4 overs.
Harmanpreet praised her side’s approach and the bowlers’ ability to read the conditions.
“Very important win for us, happy how the entire team performed today, we speak about being ruthless. All the bowlers have been outstanding. Sticking to their plans, bowling according to their plans, reading the pitch – that is the key,” she said.
On negotiating Pakistan’s bowling and maintaining India’s standards, she added: “They also bowled few good balls, important was to keep batting and finish the game. Important to keep the standards high. Two more games, hopefully we keep playing good cricket.”
Reflecting on the support she has received, Harmanpreet said: “Grateful, I hope I will keep getting support, without sport I’m nothing. Keep continuing the good work.”
India remain on top of Group A
India have now won all their matches in the competition and remain top of Group A. Pakistan, meanwhile, will look to recover when they face Hong Kong, China on Monday, September 7.
Fatima acknowledged that Pakistan’s batting had let them down despite their confidence in the bowling attack.
“I think we were struggling as a batting side. We know that it was a fresh wicket, we wanted to put maximum total, we know we had a good bowling side,” she said.
Asked about her three-wicket haul, Fatima said: “If we lost, it doesn’t matter.” Looking ahead to Pakistan’s next match, she added: “Definitely we will try to play good cricket.”
