Women's Asia Cup 2024: IND-W Beat UAE-W by 78 Runs, Richa Ghosh and Harmanpreet Kaur Shine

Add as a preferred source on Google

In a commanding performance, India Women secured a massive 78-run victory over UAE Women in their Group A encounter of the Women's Asia Cup T20 2024, held at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium in Dambulla on Sunday. With this win, India virtually booked their spot in the semifinals.

Opting to bowl first after winning the toss, UAE skipper Esha Rohit Oza aimed to capitalize on a good batting pitch. However, her decision seemed to backfire as India posted an imposing total of 201/5 in their allotted 20 overs.

The innings was spearheaded by half-centuries from Richa Ghosh and Harmanpreet Kaur. Ghosh played an explosive knock, scoring 64 runs off just 29 balls, while Kaur's composed 50 was crucial in setting up the formidable target. Also read: Most Runs in Women's Asia Cup 2024 | Most Wickets | Points Table

India's innings got off to a flying start, with openers Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana laying a solid foundation. Despite losing quick wickets, Kaur and Jemimah Rodrigues steadied the ship with a crucial partnership. Ghosh's late blitz, which included several boundaries and sixes, ensured India crossed the 200-run mark for the first time in T20 internationals.

In response, UAE's chase was derailed early on by India's disciplined bowling attack. Renuka Singh and Pooja Vastrakar struck early, reducing UAE to 29/2 within the first six overs. Despite a spirited fightback from Oza and Kavisha Egodage, who added a significant partnership in the middle overs, UAE could not keep up with the steep required run rate.

The pressure of the chase saw UAE lose wickets at regular intervals, and they eventually managed to score only 123/7 in their 20 overs. Deepti Sharma and Radha Yadav were particularly effective, keeping the scoring in check and taking crucial wickets.

With this victory, India Women now sit comfortably at the top of their group with four points, making their path to the semifinals almost certain. They will face Nepal in their final group game, looking to maintain their winning momentum.

Brief Scores

• India Women: 201/5 in 20 overs (Richa Ghosh 64, Harmanpreet Kaur 50)
• UAE Women:123/7 in 20 overs (Esha Rohit Oza 32, Kavisha Egodage 29; Renuka Singh 2/18, Deepti Sharma 2/25)