KUALA LAMPUR: Sonam Yadav’s four-wicket haul led India to a dominant nine-wicket victory over Pakistan in the second match of the ACC U19 Women’s Asia Cup here at the Bayuemas Cricket Oval on Sunday.
Pakistan captain Zoofishan Ayyaz’s decision to bat first backfired as the green shirts could only manage 67/7 in the allotted 20 overs despite opening batter Komal Khan’s gutsy knock.
Komal remained the top-scorer for Pakistan with a cautious 24 off 32 deliveries, laced with four boundaries.
She oversaw Pakistan’s batting expedition until Mithila Vinod trapped her lbw in the ninth over.
Her dismissal sparked a collapse, which saw the green shirts losing wickets at an alarming rate and subsequently halting the team’s scoring rate.
Besides Komal, Fatima Khan was the only other Pakistani batter to amass double figures, while the rest struggled against Sonam-led Indian bowling attack.
Sonam returned astounding figures of 4/6 in her four overs, while Mithila, Parunika Sisodia and VJ Joshitha chipped in with a wicket apiece.
In response, India comfortably chased down the modest 68-run target for the loss of just one wicket and 73 balls to spare, thanks to a quickfire knock by opener G Kamilini.
India, however, had a contrasting start to their innings as Fatima Khan got Gongadi Trisha (0) caught and bowled on just the second delivery of the run chase.
Following the early blow, Sanika Chalke joined Kamilini in the middle and together they anchored the run chase.
The duo recorded a match-winning 68-run partnership, majorly led by Kamilini, who top-scored with a 29-ball 44, studded with four fours and three sixes. Chalke, on the other hand, made an unbeaten 19 off 17 deliveries.
For her match-winning knock, Kamilini was adjudged the player of the match.
After a disappointing start to their U19 Women’s Asia Cup 2024 campaign, Pakistan next face Nepal in their second match of the tournament on Monday.
