India Women Dominate Pakistan in Asia Cup 2026 with Stellar Bowling Performance

India's Commanding Victory Over Pakistan

Dubai [UAE], September 6: Indian spinner Sree Charani has lauded her teammate Prema Rawat, referring to her as a "natural talent" following India's impressive seven-wicket victory against Pakistan in the Women’s Asia Cup 2026 at the Dubai International Stadium.

India bowled out Pakistan for a mere 55 runs and chased down the target in just 8.4 overs, with captain Harmanpreet Kaur (18) and Deepti Sharma (12) remaining not out.

Both Charani and Rawat were instrumental in restricting Pakistan to such a low score, each taking three wickets. Charani finished with figures of 3/7 in 4 overs, while Rawat recorded 3/9 in her 4 overs.

During the post-match press conference, Charani praised Rawat's all-around skills, stating, "I think Prema is superb; she possesses natural talent. She excels in fielding, batting, and bowling—she has it all."

This victory marked a flawless group-stage performance for India, who secured three wins from three matches, defeating Thailand, Hong Kong, and Pakistan to earn all six points. Conversely, Pakistan's upcoming match against Hong Kong will be crucial for their chances of advancing to the semifinals.

Discussing the team's mindset for the high-stakes match against Pakistan, Charani emphasized the importance of focusing on one game at a time, avoiding unnecessary pressure.

In the chase for the modest target of 56, Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana opened the innings for India. Verma quickly made her mark by hitting a six off the first ball, setting a positive tone for the chase.

Verma also reached a significant milestone, becoming the youngest player to score 3,000 runs in Women’s T20 Internationals at just 22 years and 220 days, achieving this in only 2,182 balls faced.

However, her innings was short-lived as she was dismissed for 12 by Pakistan's captain Fatima Sana in the second over, bringing Pratika Rawal to the crease alongside Mandhana.

Rawal managed to score a boundary but was dismissed for 4 on the very next ball, with Sana claiming two wickets in that over. Mandhana, who had scored a century in the previous match, also fell to Sana, leaving India at 29/3.

Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur and all-rounder Deepti Sharma then steadied the innings, guiding India to 34/3 by the end of the powerplay.

Pakistan's Sana had a remarkable powerplay, taking all three wickets. Historically, there have been only 12 instances of a captain taking three wickets in the first six overs of a Women’s T20I, with Sana achieving this feat twice.

India completed the chase in under nine overs, with Kaur and Sharma leading the way to a convincing win.

Earlier in the match, Charani and Rawat's fiery bowling spells dismantled Pakistan, who were bowled out for just 55 runs.

Openers Muneeba Ali and Shawaal Zulfiqar managed a 27-run partnership, but the rest of the batting lineup crumbled under pressure, with Pakistan losing wickets rapidly.

After a cautious start, Muneeba was bowled by Shafali Verma for 13 runs, and Charani's double strike in the following over shifted the momentum firmly in India's favor.

Charani's third wicket came in the eighth over, dismissing Ayesha Zafar for 2, while Rawat continued the onslaught, and Deepti Sharma took the wicket of Pakistan's captain, leaving them in dire straits at 35/6.

Pakistan's innings ended at 55 runs in 18.1 overs, with Charani (3/7) and Rawat (3/9) leading the bowling attack, supported by Sharma and Verma.