By Liu Shiwen
GUANGZHOU, China (TheSportsNEXT) October 31, 2012: Indian women cricket team played out of their skins to successfully defend a small total against arch-rivals Pakistan on Wednesday to clinch the inaugural Asian Cricket Council’s Twenty20 Asia Cup title in China.
Pakistani bowlers did well to restrict Indian women for a total of 81 runs but their batters failed to emulate their performance as Pakistan women cricket team fell 18 runs short of the target.
Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur won the toss and decided to bat first on a slow and low pitch.
Pakistani bowlers made early inroads with Sulakshna Naik (2 from 6) and Anuja Patel (Duck) went back in the pavilion with total at only four runs.
However, Poonam Raut (25 from 28 – 3 fours) and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (20 from 33) stabilized the ship with 32 runs partnership for the third wicket which proved the difference between the two sides at the end of the day.
Reema Malhotra (18 from 31) also played a handy knock in the middle order but India women were bowled out for 81 runs from the final delivery of their 20 overs.
Pakistani skipper Sana Mir excelled with the ball as she grabbed four wickets for only 13 runs while Bismah Maroof and Marina Hasan also bowled exceedingly well with figures of 2/14 and 2/8, respectively.
Pakistan lost Qanita Jalil (2 from 5) early but Bismah Maroof (18 from 32 – 2 fours) and skipper Sana Mir (11 from 22 – 2 fours) dug their way into the contention and added 27 runs for the second wicket before Nagarajan Niranjana got rid of Pakistan captain.
Pakistan got panicked after losing their skipper and a flurry of dismissals followed where Nida Dar (1 from 3), Javeria Khan (4 from 9), Marina Iqbal (2 from 6), Asmavia Iqbal (1 from 5), Batool Fatima (1 from 3), and Sadia Yousuf (Duck) all were removed in a flash.
Nain Abidi (13 from 19) tried her bit and Mariam Hasan (8 not out from 10) also stayed their right to the end but lacked support from her teammates as Pakistan women innings was culminated at 63 all out from 19.1 overs.
Archana Das and Nagarajan Niranjana led Indian bowling effort as both grabbed two wickets apiece for 12 and 15 runs, respectively.
Poonam Raut was declared Player of the Final for her responsible knock of 25 runs while Pakistan’s Bismah Maroof was name Player of the Tournament for her consistent performances right throughout the event.
India skipper Mithali Raj, who couldn’t take part in the final due to an injury, told reporters, “So happy for the girls even though I’m disappointed not to have played because of my ankle. Winning this Asia Cup is a great achievement and what’s been special is how our team has become like a family over the years, everyone contributes and plays for each other”.
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