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A confused Indian batting lineup surrendered to Pakistan in Women's Asia Cup 2022 encounter. Tinkering too much with the batting order led to a collapse of epic proportions as India lost the game by 13 runs despite Richa Ghosh’s late cameo. It is hard to believe that the same team that thrashed Pakistan in Commonwealth Games (CWG), lost to Pakistan. The Bismah Maroof-led Pakistan ended their losing streak against India a day after a disappointing loss to Thailand.
India's run chase got off to a decent start but Sabbhineni Meghana (15) lost her wicket in an attempt to overattack. Jemimah Rodrigues succumbed to the dot ball pressure and scored just two runs from eight deliveries before losing her wicket to Nida. In the powerplay overs, India scored 30/2 as Smriti Mandhana did not get enough strike.
Mandhana got a few second chances but ended up getting bowled by Nashra Sandhu just before the halfway stage. Pooja Vastrakar got promoted up the order in the crunch situation as Harmanpreet Kaur did not come to bat until later. Vastrakar got run out in the 12th over after a horrible mix-up with Dayalan Hemalatha following a misfield. Hemalatha threw away her wicket as well trying to play an awkward scoop shot off spinner Tuba Hassan.
Harmanpreet and Deepti Sharma walked out to bat when India needed nearly 10 runs per over. Deepti hit a few boundaries in her 16-run knock but top-edged one off Sadia Iqbal. In the 17th over, Nida got the big wicket of Harmanpreet.
Richa, who could not keep wickets due to an injury scare, walked out to bat at no.9. Richa hit two huge sixes in the 18th over but Radha Yadav got out trying to replicate it. In the penultimate over, Richa hit Sadia for a six and a four. With 18 runs needed off 10 balls, Richa went for another aerial shot but found Aliya Riaz in the deep. Richa scored 26 runs from 13 deliveries but after her wicket, it was a near-impossible task for the tailenders. In the final over, Rajeshwari Gayakwad got bowled by Aiman Anwer as India got all out for 124 with two balls left in the innings.
Pakistan skipper Maroof won the toss and opted to bat first. Pakistan lost three wickets in the powerplay overs. Muneeba Ali (17) and Omaima Sohail (0) lost their wickets to Deepti whereas Vastrakar got Sidra Ameen's wicket.
The fourth-wicket partnership between Maroof and Nida Dar helped Pakistan recover. The skipper got out after scoring 32 runs from 35 deliveries. Renuka Singh got the breakthrough. Nida played an exceptional knock as she single-handedly took Pakistan to 137/6. Nida scored 56 runs from 37 deliveries including five fours and one six.
