Women's Asia Cup 2024: Pakistan thrash UAE by 10 wickets, India register big win against Nepal

Women’s Asia Cup 2024 Match Report: Pakistan vs UAE

In the 9th match of the Women’s Asia Cup held in Dambulla on July 23, 2024, Pakistan Women triumphed over United Arab Emirates Women by 10 wickets, with 35 balls to spare. Gull Feroza was the standout performer, earning the Player of the Match award for her unbeaten 62 runs off 55 balls and two crucial catches.

United Arab Emirates Women, batting first, struggled to build momentum and finished at 103 for 8 in their allotted 20 overs. The top scorer for UAE was Theertha Satish, who managed a fighting 40 runs off 36 balls, including five boundaries. However, she received little support from her teammates. Esha Oza, the UAE captain, contributed 16 runs, while Khushi Sharma and Heena Hotchandani added 12 and 9 runs respectively.

The Pakistan bowlers were disciplined and effective, with Sadia Iqbal and Nashra Sandhu each taking two wickets for 11 and 22 runs respectively. Tuba Hassan also shone with the ball, claiming 2 wickets for 17 runs. Their combined efforts restricted the UAE to a modest total.

Chasing a target of 104, Pakistan’s openers Gull Feroza and Muneeba Ali made the task look easy with a commanding and unbeaten partnership. Gull Feroza’s 62 not out came from 55 balls, featuring eight boundaries. Muneeba Ali provided solid support, scoring 37 not out off 30 balls with four boundaries. Their aggressive approach ensured that Pakistan reached the target in just 14.1 overs, at a run rate of 7.55.

The UAE bowlers were unable to make any breakthroughs. Despite their efforts, all bowlers went wicketless. Kavisha Egodage and Heena Hotchandani were the most economical bowlers, but their efforts were insufficient to trouble the Pakistani openers.

Gull Feroza’s all-round performance was instrumental in Pakistan’s victory, earning her the Player of the Match. Her excellent fielding and unbeaten half-century showcased her importance to the team.

Women’s Asia Cup 2024 Match Report: India vs Nepal

In the 10th match of the Women’s Asia Cup held in Dambulla on July 23, 2024, India Women secured a comprehensive 82-run victory over Nepal Women. Shafali Verma’s blistering knock of 81 off 48 balls was the highlight of the match, earning her the Player of the Match award.

India Women, opting to bat first, posted a formidable total of 178 for 3 in their 20 overs. Shafali Verma’s explosive innings included 12 fours and a six, setting the tone for a high-scoring game. She was well supported by Dayalan Hemalatha, who scored a solid 47 off 42 balls, including five boundaries and a six. Their partnership of 122 runs for the first wicket laid a strong foundation for India.

After Hemalatha’s dismissal, Verma continued to attack before getting stumped off Sita Rana Magar’s bowling. Jemimah Rodrigues then provided a quickfire 28 not out off 15 balls, propelling India to a commanding total. Richa Ghosh chipped in with a brisk 6 not out off 3 balls.

Nepal’s bowling attack struggled to contain the Indian batters, with Sita Rana Magar being the pick of the bowlers, claiming 2 wickets for 25 runs in her four overs. Kabita Joshi took the other wicket but conceded 36 runs in her spell. The rest of the bowlers failed to make significant inroads, allowing India to maintain a high run rate throughout their innings.

Chasing a daunting target of 179, Nepal Women never really got going, losing wickets at regular intervals. Arundhati Reddy struck early, dismissing Samjhana Khadka and Sita Rana Magar to leave Nepal reeling at 21 for 2. Indu Barma and Rubina Chhetry tried to stabilize the innings with scores of 14 and 15 respectively, but they couldn’t keep up with the required run rate.

Deepti Sharma’s exceptional bowling spell, where she took 3 wickets for just 13 runs, further dented Nepal’s hopes. Radha Yadav also contributed with 2 wickets for 12 runs, while Renuka Singh and Reddy each picked up a wicket.

Nepal’s innings eventually limped to 96 for 9 in their 20 overs, falling 82 runs short of the target. Bindu Rawal was the top scorer with an unbeaten 17, but her efforts were in vain as Nepal’s batting lineup crumbled under pressure.