India defeat Pakistan in Asian Cricket Council Women's T20 Asia Cup

India women continued their winning streak in the Women's T20 Asia Cup 2016 in Bangkok, Thailand, by overcoming the challenge from their arch-rivals Pakistan women on Tuesday. Harmanpreet Kaur and co, in the process, also exacted revenge from Bismah Maroof's army, who defeated the home team during the ICC World T20 2016 in New Delhi.

India women now have three wins from three consecutive matches in the Asian Cricket Council Women's T20 Asia Cup and lead the points table as well. Pakistan women, who were undefeated until now, have suffered their first defeat of the campaign.

Harmanpreet's women army won the toss and elected to field first at the Asian Institute of Technology ground in Thailand. The Pakistani batsmen including Javeria Khan and Ayesha Zafar gave their team a good start, but only until the Indian spinners started their trick, with Ekta Bisht (3 wickets for 20 runs) ruling the roost. 

From 60 runs for 3 wickets in 13 overs to 97 runs for 7 wickets in 20 overs, the run rate of the Pakistan women's cricket team was completely brought to a standstill by the Indian women's cricket team bowlers.

Post-innings break, India women were given a good start by Smriti Mandhana, but she couldn't last for long. The score remained 70 for 3 wickets for India women in the 15th over, but reaching the target looked tight from that juncture as well. Mithali Raj, too, performed for a moment but ultimately faltered. 

On the other hand, Sana Mir and Nida Dar (2 wickets for 11 runs if 4 overs) were wreaking havoc. The score steadily increased to 94 for 5 in the 19th over for India women, thanks to a good show by captain Harmanpreet. The 27-year-old all-rounder from Moga, Punjab, then comfortably hit the winning runs to notch a 5-wicket win for India and Pakistan.

Harmanpreet also took home the Player of the Match award.