India A register thumping win against Pakistan A in Women's Rising Stars Asia Cup; Reddy destroys Australia to give India 1-0 lead

Women's Asia Cup Rising Stars - India A vs Pakistan A, Match 6, Bangkok

India A and Pakistan A locked horns in the sixth match of the Women's Asia Cup Rising Stars at the Terdthai Cricket Ground in Bangkok on Sunday, February 15. Pakistan A won the toss and elected to bat first.

Indian pacer Saima Thakor struck in the first over itself to send back wicketkeeper-batter Yusra Amir for 1(4). Pakistan proceeded cautiously to avoid any more setbacks soon but the Indian bowlers, with a little bit of help from the Pakistan batters themselves, made further inroads within the powerplay itself. Significantly, the Women in Green were tottering at 29/4 at the end of it.

The story was not much different subsequently as Radha Yadav struck twice in two overs to dismiss Huraina Sajjad (2 off 8) and opener Shawaal Zulfiqar (23 off 29) to make Pakistan six down for 41 runs in the 10th over. There was some resistance from Gull Rukh (21 off 28) and Anosha Nasir (17 off 17) which helped Pakistan to more than double their score after the first 10 overs. Despite that, the team was bowled out for a mere 93 in the 19th over as Prema Rawat, Thakor, and Radha scalped two wickets each for India.

Pakistan had a fantastic start as Waheeda Akhtar dismissed Humaira Kazi off the first ball. But, the Women in Green's joy was short-lived as opener Dinesh Vrinda and Anushka Sharma counterattacked to take India to 63/1 in the powerplay. The batters took on the bowlers right from the second over to take their team into a winning position early on.

The partnership came to an end in the ninth over with the wicket of Anushka for 24(26). Tejal Hasabnis joined Vrinda as the duo completed the victory in the next 10 deliveries. India A won by eight wickets and 59 balls remaining as Vrinda finished as the top-scorer with 55 runs off 29 balls, an innings which comprised 12 fours. For Pakistan, Akhtar (1/18) and Momina Riasat (1/13) were the sole wicket-takers.

Australia Women vs India Women, 1st T20I, Sydney

India began their multi-format tour of Australia with the first T20I at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Sunday, February 15. Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur won the toss and elected to field first.

Australia got off to a quick start with Beth Mooney (5 off 8) and Georgia Voll (18 off 10) scoring 20 runs off the first two overs. But, Renuka Singh and Kranti Gaud delivered double blows to send back the openers by the fourth over. The home team, courtesy of Phoebe Litchfield (26 off 19) and Ellyse Perry, recovered to post 49 runs at the end of the powerplay.

Australia were going along nicely until Arundhati Reddy brought a breakthrough for India in the form of Perry (20 off 11). The Women in Yellow suffered two more blows in the next 11 balls as they lost half their side for 87 runs at the halfway mark. Georgia Wareham and Nicola Carey revived the innings with a crucial 41-run partnership off 28 balls before the former (30 off 19) was dismissed by Reddy who appeared to adorn the role of a partnership-breaker today.

Carey (12 off 12), too, went back to the pavilion at the same score and Australia suffered a collapse to finish at 133 all out in 18 overs only. For India, Reddy was the star picking up four wickets while Renuka was the most economical, 4-1-14-2.

India responded with alacrity as Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana looked to score as many as possible with rain forecast soon. Verma was the aggressor of the two as India reached the four-over mark with 33 runs on the board.

But, Australian captain Sophie Molineux struck immediately after to send back Verma for 21(11). Mandhana (16* off 17) and Jemimah Rodrigues (9* off 3) carried the momentum forward as the duo scored 17 runs from the next six deliveries to reach the 50-run mark in 5.1 overs.

The rain made its presence felt at this stage and the downpour made sure there was no further play possible. India were far ahead on the DLS method and won the game by 21 runs. Reddy (4/22), for her match-winning performance, was declared the Player of the Match.