Each run was cheered for, each limit hooted and each wicket started a close free for all as India Women went ahead to secure the 2016 ACC Women’s Asia Cup T20 title with a persuading 17-run triumph over Pakistan at the Asian Institute of Technology Cricket Ground on the edges of Bangkok on Sunday, ‘December 4’.
India Women 121/5 in 20 overs (Mithali Raj 73*, Anam Amin 2-24) defeated Pakistan Women 104/6 in 20 overs (Bismah Maroof 25, Ekta Bisht 2-22) by 17 runs.
Indian fans dwarfed those of Pakistan however the power on the either side never faded away even as mists scattered off and temperatures took off with each passing bundle of the diversion. On the field, the recognizable hands of Mithali Raj moved India to a charging score of 121 for 5, which the bowlers shielded without breaking a sweat as the Harmanpreet Kaur-drove group guaranteed their 6th straight Asia Cup title in style.
Raj was the turn around which India’s batting spun yet some other time in the competition. The previous chief’s unblemished keep running of frame proceeded as she pummeled her profession best 73 not out – her second fifty in this Asia Cup – to lead India’s charge and help them post a testing absolute.
Asmavia Iqbal demonstrated costly. She started the procedures with a 10-keep running over including five wides and was removed the assault promptly a short time later. Bismah Mahroof, truth be told, rung in the progressions from the flip side yet none with sensible achievement. Anam Amin, who came into the assault as right on time as in the third over, drew first blood by taking out rotten Smriti Mandhana inexpensively in the fifth over.
Two or three very overs took after the early wicket yet Raj propelled a counterattack to upgrade the free offerings from Asmavia. A limit on either side of the strip and a sum of 11 off her third over observed Asmavia removed the assault for good. Next at the less than desirable end was offspinner Nida Rashid Dar, who Raj pulled for a limit off a head-high no-ball before lobbing the free-hit straight over the bowler’s head.
