India defeats Pakistan by seven wickets in Women's Asia Cup 2026 Group A match

Pakistan's women's team slumped to their lowest-ever T20I total as India cruised to a seven-wicket win in their 2026 Women's Asia Cup Group A clash at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Saturday night. Opting to bat first, Pakistan made a reasonable start, reaching 27 without loss in the fifth over through openers Muneeba Ali (13, 15b, 1x4) and Shawaal Zulfiqar (14, 14b, 3x4), both of whom benefited from dropped chances. However, India's spinners took control soon after, triggering a dramatic collapse. Pakistan lost six wickets for just eight runs in 28 balls to slide to 35 for six in the 10th over. Playing their 200th Women's T20I, Pakistan were bowled out for 55 in 18.1 overs, going below their previous lowest T20I total of 56 against New Zealand in Dubai in 2024. Their previous lowest total in the Asia Cup was 63. India's spinners made captain Harmanpreet Kaur's milestone match memorable, using skill, control and assistance from the slow pitch to stifle Pakistan. Left-arm spinner Shree Charani led the attack with three for seven in four overs, while leg-spinner Prema Rawat took three for nine. Experienced off-spinner Deepti Sharma finished with two for five in 3.1 overs. Charani dismissed Shawaal, who missed a sweep and was trapped lbw, Gul Feroza, who charged down the pitch and offered a leading edge to short third, and Ayesha Zafar, who was caught by Harmanpreet at mid-on. Charani is now India's highest wicket-taker in Women's T20Is in 2026, with 32 wickets in 18 innings. Part-time off-spinner Shafali Verma provided the first breakthrough, bowling Muneeba as the opener made room to cut a delivery that was too straight. India wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh also had a good outing, catching Nashra Sandhu off Rawat and pulling off a sharp stumping to dismiss No. 10 Tuba Hassan for nine. India were guilty of three dropped chances. Pratika Rawal put down Muneeba on six at cover-point off Kranti Goud in the third over, then dropped her again on nine at long-on off Shafali in the fifth. Rawal also dropped Pakistan captain Fatima Sana on nought off her own bowling in the ninth over.

Pakistan, however, were unable to make India pay. Defending 55, Fatima Sana gave Pakistan their lone bright spell with a strong burst of seam bowling, taking three for 17 in three overs. She dismissed Shafali (12), Smriti Mandhana (9) and Pratika Rawal (4) to reduce India to 29 for three in four overs. Harmanpreet, playing her record 150th T20I as captain, steadied the chase with Deepti. Harmanpreet finished unbeaten on 18 off 18 balls, with one four and one six, while Deepti remained not out on 12 off 14 balls. Harmanpreet sealed the win with a six over long-on off Nashra Sandhu in the ninth over as India completed the chase with 68 balls to spare. India finished on top of the Group A table with three wins from three matches, while Pakistan must beat Hong Kong in their final group match on Monday to qualify for the semifinals.