India Women vs Pakistan Women, Match 9, Group A, Women's Asia Cup 2026 - CommentaryINDW vs PAKW, Match 9, Group A, Women's Asia Cup 2026 - Commentary

The most hyped game of the competition failed to live up to its billing. How many times have we seen that happen recently? This always looked like a one-sided affair, and India's bowlers made it a no-contest, bowling Pakistan out for their lowest-ever T20I total. India had already qualified for the semi-finals, and this thumping win seals top spot in the group. Pakistan, meanwhile, will now have to beat Hong Kong, China in their final game to seal their spot. That's all from this game. Until next time, goodbye and stay safe..

Stats by Roshan Gede

Biggest win margins for IND-W in T20Is (by balls remaining)
84 vs THA-W, Sylhet, 2022
70 vs BAN-W, Hangzhou, 2023
69 vs SL-W, Sylhet, 2022
68 vs PAK-W, Dubai, 2026
57 vs WI-W, Gros Islet, 2019

This is the second biggest defeat margin for PAK-W in the format; they had lost with 70 balls to spare against NZ-W at Basseterre during the Women’s T20 WC 2010.

Biggest win margins in Women’s T20 Asia Cup (by balls remaining)
84 - IND-W vs THA-W, Sylhet, 2022
73 - SL-W vs UAE-W, Dubai, 2026
69 - IND-W vs SL-W, Sylhet, 2022
68 - IND-W vs PAK-W, Dubai, 2026
66 - PAK-W vs MAS-W, Sylhet, 2022
66 - THA-W vs MAS-W, Kuala Lumpur, 2018

Harmanpreet Kaur: Very important game for us, and really happy (with) the way the entire team performed today, because we talk about being ruthless, and I'm really happy (with) the way we performed. [Talk us through the bowling performance] All the bowlers, they were outstanding. They are sticking to their plans and bowling according to their plans and reading the pitch really well. I think that is the key, understanding the pitch and then executing your plans accordingly. [Thoughts on losing three wickets] I think it's part of the game. They also bowled a few good balls, and I think the important (thing) was just being there, just keep batting and finish the game as soon as possible. [How important is an unbeaten semi-final run?] It's very important, keeping our standards high. We know what this team brings when we go to the field, and I think I'm really happy (with) the way everybody is coming up and showing up good performances, and now another two games, hopefully we'll keep playing our best cricket. [On leading the side for the 150th T20I] I'm grateful. I never thought I'll come that far, but all the people behind me who's been supporting, I'm really grateful, and hopefully keep getting the support, because I think without support I'm nothing. And yeah, I'm grateful, and the entire team, support staff, they've been outstanding. So yeah, I mean many more to come hopefully. Let's keep continuing the good work.

Shree Charani | Player of the Match: [Getting a PotM in a India v Pakistan game] It’s great, ma’am, (a) great feeling to contribute (to) my team. [Tell us about your spell today] Just wanted to bowl to my strength and according to the field. [What are you most confident about?] I just try to give more reps on the ball, so that helps me every time. [Feeling about closing in on 50 T20I wickets] I think (it’s) normal, like every day. But it will be special, but yeah, I need to continue more and want to do more for my country. [Feeling about being the number one ranked bowler] Good, ma’am. I want to keep going with my good work.

Fatima Sana: We had (a) collapse in the batting and struggled (throughout) the whole innings. [How wise was batting first?] We know that (it was a) fresh wicket, and we just wanted to put up the maximum total. We know we have a good bowling side. [On her three-wicket spell] But still, we lost the match; it doesn’t matter. We needed a win, so it doesn't matter. [How crucial is the next match?] We will try to play good cricket there, and in the last match we will try to win and (progress) to the finals (knockouts).

20:46 Local Time, 16:46 GMT, 22:16 IST: The result was never in question; it was all about how long Pakistan could defy the inevitable. Shafali started the innings with a first-ball six, and it seemed India would canter home, possibly within the powerplay. But Pakistan's skipper, Fatima Sana, was in no mood to give up easily. She struck twice in the second over of the innings, sending back Shafali and Pratika, then followed it up by trapping Smriti LBW in her second over. Harmanpreet and Deepti then buckled down, took their time and ensured there were no more hiccups as they chased it down in 8.4 overs. Credit to Fatima for not throwing in the towel after that batting display and picking up three early wickets to give her side a boost. If only her batters had put up a competitive total, this could have been an interesting chase. Presentations coming up..

Mid-off has been brought in

There have been 12 recorded instances of a captain bagging at least three wickets in the first six overs of a Women’s T20I, five for full-member teams: Hayley Matthews and Fatima Sana (twice each) and Chamari Athapaththu (once).