Women's Asia Cup: Pakistan stun India, clinch first win over arch-rivals in T20Is in 6 years

Pakistan clinched a stunning win over their arch-rivals India in a group-stage match of Women's Asia Cup 2022, successfully defending a 137-run total on Friday, October 7. It was Pakistan's only 3rd T20I win over India in 13 meetings and their first since March 2016.

It was a lion-hearted effort from Pakistan, who recovered from a shock defeat to Thailand, a non-Test-playing nation on Thursday.

Nida Dar was the star for Pakistan as the experienced star hit a 37-ball 56 not out and picked up 2 wickets. Notably, Dar's 56 is the highest T20I score by a Pakistan batter against India in women's cricket, going past captain Bismah Maroof's 53 in 2018.

India crumbled under pressure and paid the



price for bizarre tactics as captain Harmanpreet Kaur came into bat at No.7 in a tricky chase. Harmanpreet could manage 12 runs as India could not manage to get going after the top-order failed.

Harmanpreet conceded that the decision to bat at No. 7 cost them in the crunch game but maintained that India did not take Pakistan lightly.

"In the middle, we were trying to give the chance to other batters, because you have to do that as the tournament goes on, but it backfired. It was a chaseable target," Hamrnpreet said.

"We are aware of that and never take any team lightly. It is a part of the game. Yesterday, Thailand played a good game. Today, they (Pakistan) played good cricket," she added.