The arch-rivals India, led by skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, were up against Pakistan, led by skipper Fatima Sana, on a blockbuster Saturday (5th September 2026) in the 9th match of the ongoing 6th edition of the ACC Women’s T20 Asia Cup at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai.
The hosts, United Arab Emirates, led by skipper Esha Oza, thrashed the tournament debutants Indonesia by 6 wickets to register their first win of the tournament.
The Pakistan skipper Fatima Sana won the toss and opted to bat first. The Pakistan openers Shawaal Zulfiqar (14 off 14 balls) and the wicket-keeper batter Muneeba Ali got their side off to a steady start with a 27-run opening stand. The golden arm of the off-spinner Shafali Verma cleaned up the experienced batter Muneeba Ali (13 off 15 balls) to provide the crucial 1st breakthrough for India in the 5th over of the innings.
The Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur unleashed the Indian spin artillery of Shree Charani, Prema Rawat and Deepti Sharma, hunting in a group, triggering a horrible Pakistani collapse. The Fatima Sana-led side lost their last nine wickets for just 28 runs, as a result, getting bundled out for just 55 in just 18.1 overs, leaving 11 balls unused in the innings. Pakistan set a new benchmark, bettering their own record for the lowest total in the T20I format, surpassing their previous low of 56 Vs New Zealand in 2024, at the same venue. It is also the 4th-lowest 1st innings total in the history of the ACC Women’s T20 Asia Cup over the years.
Shree Charani (4-0-7-3), Prema Rawat (4-0-9-3), Deepti Sharma (3.1-0-5-2), and Shafali Verma (3-0-10-1) were mind-blowing with the ball for India. The Indian bowlers conceded just 3 extras.
Chasing a tiny total of 56, Shafali Verma wasted no time in putting the foot on the pedal, smashing a boundary and a maximum alongside Smriti Mandhana. The Pakistan skipper Fatima Sana managed to produce some extra bounce to get the better of Shafali Verma (12 off 6 balls) in the 2nd over to provide the first breakthrough for her side.
The Pakistan skipper Fatima Sana (3-0-17-3) was the lone warrior for her side as she went on to dismiss Smriti Mandhana (9 off 11 balls) and Pratika Rawal in her spell. Deepti Sharma (12* off 14 balls) joined skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (18* off 18 balls), and the duo guided India over the line with an unbeaten 28-run stand for the 4th wicket. India won the game by 7 wickets and 68 balls to spare.
Sadia Iqbal (3-0-16-0) played her part with the ball for Pakistan. Shree Charani was awarded the Player of the Match for her sensational spell (4-0-7-3) with the ball, setting up India’s dominant win. The Harmanpreet Kaur-led side maintained their unbeaten record in the league stages of the ongoing 6th edition of the tournament, finishing on top of group A with 6 points from 3 games heading into the knockout stages of the tournament.
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