Women's T20 Asia Cup 2026: India defeat Pakistan by 7 wickets 

Dubai (Web Desk): India produced a commanding performance with both bat and ball to register a seven-wicket victory over Pakistan in the ninth match of the ACC Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2026 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Saturday.

After India’s bowlers bundled Pakistan out for a modest 55, the former champions needed only 8.4 overs to complete the 56-run chase, finishing on 58 for three. Harmanpreet Kaur and Deepti Sharma remained unbeaten to guide their side home without further trouble.

Pakistan made an early impact with the ball, however, as captain Fatima Sana struck twice in the second over. Shafali Verma was dismissed for 12 before Pratika Rawal followed for four, leaving India at 18 for two.

Smriti Mandhana joined Harmanpreet Kaur at the crease and the pair tried to rebuild the innings. They added 11 runs before Fatima claimed another breakthrough, sending Mandhana back for nine in the fourth over and leaving India struggling at 29 for three.

Kaur then found a reliable partner in Deepti Sharma. The two experienced players kept the Pakistan attack at bay and put together an unbeaten 28-run stand that carried India over the target in the ninth over.

Kaur finished as India’s highest scorer, remaining unbeaten on 18 from 18 balls. Her innings included a four and a six. Deepti contributed an unbeaten 12 off 14 deliveries.

Fatima was the only Pakistan bowler to make inroads, completing an impressive three-wicket spell for 17 runs from her three overs.

Earlier, Pakistan captain Fatima Sana had opted to bat first, but the decision failed to produce the desired result as her team’s batting innings quickly unravelled. Pakistan were dismissed for just 55 in 18.1 overs, recording their lowest-ever total in women’s T20I cricket.

The innings initially looked promising, with openers Muneeba Ali and Shawaal Zulfiqar putting on 27 runs for the opening wicket. India finally broke through in the fifth over when Shafali Verma removed Muneeba for 13 off 15 balls, shortly after the Pakistan opener had struck her for a boundary.

Pakistan’s innings then suffered another major blow in the very next over. Shree Charani removed Gull Feroza for a duck before dismissing Zulfiqar, who had emerged as Pakistan’s leading scorer with 14 from 14 balls, including three fours.

The double blow from Charani opened the floodgates as Pakistan’s lower order offered little resistance.

The side lost its final seven wickets for only 26 runs, with skipper Fatima also departing without scoring.

Tuba Hassan showed some resistance towards the end, but her effort could not prevent Pakistan from being bowled out for their record-low women’s T20I score.

India’s bowling attack was led by Prema Rawat and Shree Charani, who claimed three wickets each. Deepti Sharma added two wickets, while Shafali Verma finished with one.

Pakistan are set to take on Hong Kong in their final group-stage fixture on September 7.