In their Women's Asia Cup 2024 opener, Indian openers Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana aggressively chased a target of 109 runs against Pakistan at Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium. Verma scored 40 and Mandhana 45, laying a solid foundation with consistent boundaries.
Our bowlers and openers made it. First game is always a pressure game but we managed it well. Our entire unit played really well. When we are bowling we talk about early breakthroughs and in batting, we look to start well so credit to Smriti and Shafali. Playing fearless cricket, how we played today and we are really happy with the way we played. My knee is fine.
Feeling great and it worked out according to the plan. Bowled in the right areas. As a unit we are doing very well, having camps helped us a lot. I worked on my bowling after the South Africa series which helped. [on getting the wicket of Nida Dar] She is a good batter and it brings a lot of satisfaction when you get a batter like that. [if she knew she had reached 250 international wickets] No idea.
Difference was the two powerplays, that's where we lost. We struggled in the batting and the positive out of it is the bowling unit - they did well. We have to get together and talk about plans for the next game. Main is powerplays - if you see, if you win powerplays you win games. We have watched the wicket and we will plan better for the next matches.
IND W vs PAK W Live Score: IT'S ALL OVER!
India Women beat Pakistan by seven wickets. India showcased their dominance with a commanding win, easily chasing the target of 109. The openers made quick work of the runs, making a 10-wicket victory seem likely, though Syeda Aroob Shah and Nashra Sandhu managed to take a couple of wickets each. The batting-friendly wicket allowed Shafali and Smriti to score freely with plenty of boundaries. Rodrigues sealed the comprehensive win with a late dab past short third man.
INDW 109/3 in 14.1 Overs (with 35 balls to spare)
India vs Pakistan Live Score: One run needed to win!
Kaur and Rodrigues add 4 runs to the total. Kaur plays a couple of dot balls, then gets 2 runs to level the scores, followed by a single. Rodrigues adds 1 run with a tuck to deep mid-wicket.
INDW 108/3 in 14 Overs in chase of 109
India vs Pakistan Live Score: OUT! Hemalatha departs
Nashra Sandhu dismisses Hemalatha, who is caught by Tuba Hassan at cover-point after attempting to loft the ball over the off-side. Hemalatha departs for 14 off 11 balls, having sliced a nicely tossed-up delivery.
INDW 104/3 in 13 Overs in chase of 109
India vs Pakistan Live Score: OUT!
India lose Shafali Verma. Syeda Aroob Shah dismisses Shafali Verma, who is bowled after coming down the track and failing to connect. The ball, flat and pushed through, sneaks past her defence to hit the top of the middle stump. Shafali departs for 40 off 29 balls. Harmanpreet Kaur comes to the crease.
INDW 101/2 in 12 Overs in chase of 109
IND W vs PAK W Live Score: 4,4,4! Hemalatha gets back-to-back three boundaries
Hemalatha hits three consecutive fours off Nashra Sandhu: one to sweeper cover, one through backward point, and another through deep backward square leg, where the fielder misjudges the spin.
INDW 98/1 in 11 Overs in chase of 109
IND W vs PAK W Live Score: At the end of 10 Overs!
Only 2 runs are scored. Syeda Aroob Shah dismisses Mandhana, who is caught by Aliya Riaz at mid-wicket for 45. Hemalatha plays a few deliveries cautiously, scoring a single and surviving a couple of close calls. The over also includes a drink break with Pakistan in a huddle.
INDW 86/1 in 10 Overs in chase of 109
India vs Pakistan Live Score: OUT! Mandhana departs after fine knock
Syeda Aroob Shah dismisses Mandhana, who is caught by Aliya Riaz at mid-wicket after failing to clear the fielder. Mandhana departs for 45 off 31 balls, providing Pakistan with a much-needed breakthrough. Dayalan Hemalatha is the new batter
INDW 85/1 in 9.3 Overs in chase of 109
India vs Pakistan Live Score: Mandhana closing in on half-century
Nashra Sandhu allows 6 runs as Shafali Verma and Mandhana each score a single with shots to mid-wicket, third man, and sweeper cover. Shafali Verma also misjudges a lofted shot but manages a single to deep mid-wicket, and Mandhana adds another single with a cut to sweeper cover.
INDW 84/0 in 9 Overs in chase of 109
India vs Pakistan Live Score: Boundaries keep coming!
Mandhana hits four boundaries off Tuba Hassan. She slog-sweeps a full legbreak to deep mid-wicket, lofts a delivery over extra-cover, and paddles two balls to fine leg. The over also includes a wide and a dot ball where Mandhana gets too close to the pitch and digs out the delivery.
INDW 79/0 in 8 Overs in chase of 109
IND W vs PAK W Live Score: 4! Smriti in the mood
Mandhana hits two boundaries off Tuba Hassan: one with a slog sweep to deep mid-wicket and another to extra cover. Tuba also bowls a delivery that Mandhana digs out after coming down the track.
INDW 66/0 in 7.3 Oversi n chase of 109
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IND W vs PAK W Live Score: Pakistan give away just one run!
Nashra Sandhu restricts runs to just 1. Mandhana scores a single to sweeper cover, while the remaining deliveries are dot balls, including a mistimed cut and well-placed shots to mid-wicket, point, and extra-cover.
INDW 58/0 in 7 Overs in chase of 109
IND W vs PAK W Live Score: 50 comes up for Team India as Powerplay ends
With 15 runs scored in the sixth over, Mandhana hits two boundaries, one through extra-cover and another over square leg. Shafali Verma adds a six to deep square leg, and also plays a dot ball. Mandhana then adds a single to long-on.
INDW 57/0 in 6 Overs in chase of 109
IND W vs PAK W Live Score: It's too many boundaries from Shafali!
Fatima Sana bowls a full delivery outside off, and Shafali Verma executes a textbook drive, placing the ball perfectly between cover and mid-off for the shot of the game so far.
INDW 42/0 in 5 Overs in chase of 109
IND W vs PAK W Live Score: 4! Another boundary as Shafali targets Powerplay
Fatima Sana delivers a full ball outside off, and Shafali Verma lifts it over cover-point for a four, taking advantage of the up-offside field.
INDW 38/0 in 4.3 Overs in chase of 109
IND W vs PAK W Live Score: 4! Smriti drives for another boundary
Nida Dar bowls a good length delivery outside off, and Mandhana transfers her weight back to punch it for a four, wide of cover-point, with the off-side field in place.
INDW 33/0 in 4 Overs in chase of 109
India vs Pakistan Live Score: Another Four from Shafali!
INDW 23/0 (3) in chase of 108
India vs Pakistan Live Score: 4! India off to a good start
Sadia Iqbal delivers a good length ball outside off, and Shafali Verma pulls it powerfully for a four between long-on and deep mid-wicket.
INDW 18/0 in 2.4 Overs in chase of 109
India vs Pakistan Live Score: India make a steady start after two overs!
In the over, 6 runs are scored: Mandhana hits a four to mid-wicket and adds a single to deep backward square leg, while Shafali Verma also scores a single to deep backward square leg. Shafali Verma and Mandhana each play the other deliveries for no runs.
INDW 12/0 in 2 Overs in chase of 109
IND W vs PAK W Live Score: 4! Smriti Mandhana also gets her first boundary
India 10/0 after 1.2 Overs in chase of 109
IND W vs PAK W Live Score: India 6/0 after 1 Over in chase of 109
Shafali Verma hits a four to deep backward square leg, while also collecting a single to deep mid-wicket. Mandhana adds a single to sweeper cover, and the remaining deliveries are played for no runs to backward point and cover.
IND W vs PAK W Live Score: 4! Shafali opens the scoring with a boundary
INDW 4/0 in 0.3 Overs
IND W vs PAK W Live Score: India come out to bat!
Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma open the chase for Team India. Sadia Iqbal opens it for Pakistan.
IND W vs PAK W Live Score: ALL OUT!
Shreyanka Patil dismisses Sadia Iqbal, who is bowled for a duck after Patil's arm ball shatters the leg stump, with Pakistan's batters failing to pose a big total.
Pakistan's batting effort was disappointing after choosing to bat on a good track. They were 57/3 at the end of 11 overs but faltered thereafter.
PAKW 108 all out in 19.2 Overs
India vs Pakistan Live Score: ANOTHER MASSIVE SIX!
Radha Yadav bowls to Fatima Sana, who hits another six, adding valuable runs for struggling Pakistan.
PAKW 108/9 in 19 Overs
India vs Pakistan Live Score: SIX! 100 comes up for Pakistan
PAKW 102/9 in 18.5 Overs
IND W vs PAK W Live Score: OUT! Nashra Sandhu comes and returns to pavilion
Pakistan are on the brink of getting all out! Sadia Iqbal is the new batter.
PAKW 94/9 in 17.5 Overs
India vs Pakistan Live Score: RUN OUT! Pakistan are 8 down
Syeda Aroob Shah is run out by Radha Yadav. Despite dropping a tough catch earlier, Radha makes up for it with a brilliant direct hit, dismissing Syeda Aroob Shah for 2 off 3 balls.
PAKW 94/8 in 17.4 Overs
IND W vs PAK W Live Score: OUT! Deepti Sharma takes dangerous Tuba
Deepti Sharma dismisses Tuba Hassan, who is caught by Radha Yadav off a short delivery outside off. Tuba Hassan departs for 22 off 19 balls, and Radha Yadav redeems herself with a solid catch.
PAKW 92/7 in 17.1 Overs
IND W vs PAK W Live Score: Radha Yadav gives away 5 runs
Fatima Sana adds two runs through extra cover and long-off, while also cutting a flat delivery to cover and missing a slider.
PAKW 90/6 in 17 Overs
India vs Pakistan Live Score: 4! Tuba Hassan displays power-hitting
Tuba Hassan anchors Pakistan's innings with power-hitting.
PAKW 86/6 in 15.4 Overs
IND W vs PAK W Live Score: 4! Vastrakar concede 14 runs in her last over
Vastrakar delivers to Tuba Hassan, who hits a four, capitalizing on a poor fielding effort from Radha.
PAKW 81/6 in 15 Overs
IND W vs PAK W Live Score: 4! Fatima's strike gives Pakistan some hope
Vastrakar bowls a seam-up full delivery outside off to Fatima Sana, who powerfully drives it straight, beating the diving fielder at mid-off to her left for a four.
PAKW 74/6 in 14.3 Overs
IND W vs PAK W Live Score: Pooja Vastrakar back into the attack!
Having already bagged two wickets to her name, Pooja Vastrakar is back for the last over of her spell.
PAKW 70/6 in 14.2 Overs
India vs Pakistan Live Score: 4! Tuba Hassan shows some intent
Deepti Sharma delivers to Tuba Hassan, who lofts the ball down the ground for a four. The fielder at long-on, standing a few yards inside the ropes, missed what could have been a straightforward catch if she had been deeper.
PAKW 67/6 in 14 Overs
India vs Pakistan Live Score: Fatima Sana comes to the crease
There is a huge mishap due to miscommunication. But the Pak batters are safe as Tuba Hassan is sent to the crease at the right moment.
India vs Pakistan Live Score: OUT! Renuka Singh gets 2 in 2 balls
Renuka Singh dismisses Iram Javed lbw for a duck on the very first ball she faces. Earlier in the over, Singh also gets Ameen caught by Radha Yadav for 25. Pakistan are now 6 down.
PAKW 61/6 in 13 Overs
IND W vs PAK W Live Score: Deepti Sharma completes a successful end to the over
PAKW 60/4 in 12 Overs
India vs Pakistan Live Score: New batter Tuba Hassan comes to the crease
IND W vs PAK W Live Score: OUT! Deepti Sharma gets rid of Pakistan skipper Nida Dar
Pakistan are already 4 down. The Pakistan skipper's attempt at a big hit backfires as she runs down the track, but her lofted shot off the toe end of the bat is caught by the fielder at long-on. Nida Dar is dismissed for 8 off 11 balls, leaving her side in a bit of a pickle.
PAKW 59/4 in 11.4 Overs
IND W vs PAK W Live Score: Deepti comes into attack and makes loud appeal in her second ball!
PAKW 57/3 in 11.2 Overs
IND W vs PAK W Live Score: Vastrakar gives away only four runs
Vastrakar comes back to bowl her second spell, completes her over with only four runs. There is a mix-up in the last ball, but the Pak batsman is safe.
PAKW 57/3 in 11 Overs
India vs Pakistan Live Score: Pooja Vastrakar begins her second spell
India vs Pakistan Live Score: Time for a short Drinks break!
India vs Pakistan Live Score: After 10 Overs, Pakistan are 53/3
IND W vs PAK W Live Score: No Ball!
Free Hit, but only one as Shreyanka Patil goes for a bouncer
PAKW 53/3 in 9.4 Overs
India vs Pakistan Live Score: 4! That's 50 coming up for Pakistan
Much-needed boundary for Pakistan
PAKW 50/3 in 9.2 Overs