The Indian Women’s Cricket Team continued their dominance in the Women’s Asia Cup T20 2024, securing their second consecutive victory with a commanding 78-run win over UAE in Group A.
Explosive Start Sets the Tone
Electing to bat first, India got off to a flying start thanks to a fiery innings from Shafali Verma. The young prodigy smashed a quickfire 37 runs off just 18 deliveries, propelling the team to a score of 56 within the powerplay overs.
Despite losing three early wickets, India maintained momentum with a crucial partnership between Harmanpreet Kaur and Jemimah Rodrigues.
Richa Ghosh Steals the Show with Record-Breaking Knock
Following the dismissal of Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh entered the crease and stole the show. Partnering with the experienced Kaur, Ghosh unleashed an aggressive batting display, striking boundaries at will. The duo formed a formidable partnership, amassing a remarkable 75 runs in a mere 45 balls.
India Shatters Record with Highest T20I Total
Harmanpreet Kaur reached her well-deserved fifty off 41 deliveries in the 18th over, but her dismissal in the final over couldn’t dampen India’s spirits.
Richa Ghosh continued her onslaught, smashing five boundaries consecutively in the final over to end the innings on a high note. This explosive display propelled India to a historic total of 201, surpassing their previous best of 198/4 against England in 2018.
Ghosh Creates Individual Record
Richa Ghosh’s knock of 64 runs off just 29 balls was not only instrumental in India’s record-breaking total, but it also etched her name in the history books.
Her innings boasted a phenomenal strike rate of 220.68, the highest ever recorded by an Indian batter in women’s T20Is (for scores exceeding 25 balls). This knock also marked her maiden T20I half-century for India.
Dominant Performance from Pakistan in Other Match
In another Group A encounter, Pakistan displayed a clinical performance against Nepal, securing a comfortable nine-wicket victory. Their openers, Gull Feroza and Muneeba Ali, laid the foundation for success with a century partnership at the top of the order.
Chasing a modest target of 109 runs, Feroza’s blistering knock of 57 runs from just 35 deliveries and Muneeba’s unbeaten 46 ensured a swift victory for Pakistan with over eight overs remaining.