Bangkok: The Indian eves defeated Pakistan by 17 runs to retain the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Women’s Twenty20 Asia Cup title at the Asian Institute of Technology Ground here, Sunday. The Bangkok win was India’s sixth Asia Cup T20 triumph. India last won the title at Guangzhou, in China, in 2012.
Opting to bat first, India scored 121 for five with veteran Mithali Raj (73 n o, 65b, 7×4, 1×6) scoring a brilliant unbeaten half century. For Pakistan, Anam Amin (2/24) scalped two wickets.
In reply, Pakistan started off the run chase on a good note as openers Ayesha Zafar (15, 14b, 3×4) and Javeria Khan (22, 26b, 2×4) scored 24 runs in four overs. Middle-order batswoman Bismah Maroof (25, 26b, 2×4) also played a crucial role. However, once spinner Ekta Bisht (2/22) and pacer Jhulan Goswami (1/19) came into bowl in the middle part of the innings, Pakistan’s chase fell apart.
At one stage Pakistan eves needed 66 off 63 balls. It was then Ekta struck having Javeria caught in the covers as the batswoman tried to hit over the top. Harmanpreet Kaur took a good catch running five-seven yards to his left.
From then on the Indian bowlers completely restricted the Pak batswomen.
Brief scores: India 121 for 5 (Mithali Raj 73 n o; Anam Amin 2/24) beat Pakistan 104 for 6 (Bismah Maroof 25; Ekta Bisht 2/22).
En route to title
Opponent Result
Bangladesh Won by 64 runs
Pakistan Won by 5 wickets
Sri Lanka Won by 52 runs
Pakistan (Final) Won by 17 runs
Stats
Highest team total: 121/4 (India against Sri Lanka)
Lowest team total: 21 (Nepal against India)
Most runs: Mithali Raj (India), 220 runs
Highest individual score: Mithali Raj (73 n o against Pakistan)
Most wickets: Ekta Bist (9 wickets)