Bowlers help India thrash Pakistan in Women`s Asia Cup

Guangong : Riding on Archana Das and Reema Malhotra`s brilliant bowling, the Indian Women`s cricket team registered a comfortable eight-wicket win over Pakistan in the Twenty20 Asia Cup here today.

After bundling out the arch-rivals for a meagre 93 in 19.3 overs, Indian eves reached the target with nine balls to spare, including captain Mithali Raj`s unbeaten 36-run knock, losing just two wickets in the process here at the Guanggong International Cricket Stadium. From 73 for three in 15 overs, Pakistan lost seven wickets for just another 20 runs in 27 balls with Indian bowlers wrecking havoc. Archana (2/12) and Reema (2/13) ended with two wickets each, while Ekta Bisht and Nagarajan Niranjana took a wicket apiece. Opting to bat, Pakistan did not have an ideal start as they lost opener Bismah Maroof (11) early followed by the one-down batter, Sana Mir (17). Marina Iqbal and Nain Abidi, however, managed to resurrect the innings, putting up a 37-run stand for the third wicket. But just when things started to look good for Pakistan, Ekta struck to see off Nain for a 26-ball 21. Marina`s run out for a well-made 22 off 31 balls in the very next over triggered Pakistan`s collapse. Reema and Archana never let the Pakistani batters settle down thereafter, taking wickets at regular intervals to send them packing with three balls still left to be bowled. Chasing a modest target, Sulakshana Naik (23) and Anuja Patil (13) gave India a fine start before Mithali along with Harmanpreet Kaur finished off things in style. Mithali`s knock came off 38 balls, studded with three hits to the fence. Brief scores: Pakistan Women: 93 all out in 19.2 overs (Marina Iqbal 22, Nain Abidi 21; Archana Das 2/12, Reema Malhotra 2/13). India Women: 94 for two in 18.3 overs (Mithali raj not out 36, Sulakshana Naik 23; Mariam Hasan 2/15). PTI