Dambulla, July 21 (UNI) India delivered a resounding 78-run victory over the UAE in a Women’s T20 Asia Cup match here on Sunday.
The match unfolded with India setting a formidable target of 202 runs, thanks to stellar performances from their top-order batswomen.
From the outset, Shafali Verma ignited the innings with a blistering 37 off just 18 balls. Her aggressive start laid a strong foundation, paving the way for Harmanpreet Kaur to anchor the innings with a composed 66 off 47 balls.
However, the ‘piece de resistance’ came from Richa Ghosh, whose explosive 64 not out off 29 deliveries provided the finishing touch and propelled India to an imposing total of 201/5.
Despite a valiant effort from UAE’s Kavisha Egodage, who claimed 2 wickets for 36 runs, the UAE bowlers struggled to contain the relentless Indian batswomen. Egodage’s efforts were commendable but fell short of restricting India’s scoring spree.
Chasing a daunting target of 202, UAE encountered early trouble and never quite managed to recover. Esha Oza, the UAE captain, showed resilience with a steady 38 off 36 balls, and Kavisha Egodage added a battling 40 not out off 32 balls. Yet, their individual contributions proved insufficient against the disciplined Indian bowling attack.
Deepti Sharma spearheaded the bowling charge, claiming 2 wickets for 23 runs, while debutant Tanuja Kanwar made a memorable entrance with figures of 1 for 14 in her four-over spell. The Indian bowlers maintained tight control throughout the innings, with Renuka Singh, Pooja Vastrakar, and Radha Yadav each contributing with a wicket.
In the end, UAE’s resistance crumbled as they finished their innings at 123/7, well short of India’s imposing total. India’s comprehensive victory not only highlighted their batting strength but also underscored their formidable bowling lineup, making them a team to watch in the tournament.
