India Under-19s thrashed Pakistan Under-19s by 9 wickets in the 2nd match of Group A in the U19 Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2024, cruising to a comfortable win at Bayuemas Oval in Kuala Lumpur.
Pakistan Under-19s, after opting to bat first upon winning the toss, found themselves in early trouble as India’s bowlers exerted immense pressure from the outset. The Pakistan top order, despite a steady start from opener Komal Khan, who scored 24 runs off 32 balls, was unable to build any significant partnerships. The Indian bowlers were precise and relentless, capitalizing on every opportunity to break Pakistan’s rhythm.
Collapse For Pakistan
The collapse began when Fizza Fiaz, who had managed just 5 runs off 4 balls, was dismissed by VJ Joshitha. Her departure brought Maham Anees to the crease, but she too failed to make an impact, falling for just 3 runs off 14 balls to a Sonam Yadav delivery. The Pakistan innings faltered further when Ravail Farhan was dismissed for a duck, caught by Bhavika Ahire off Yadav’s bowling. Pakistan found themselves in a precarious position at 33 for 4 after just 9.5 overs.
Sonam Yadav’s Clinical Spell
Yadav, India’s most potent weapon, proved to be the chief destroyer in the middle overs, taking 4 wickets for just 6 runs in her 4 overs. Her tight line and length stifled Pakistan’s batters, while her ability to turn the ball consistently kept them guessing. Yadav’s performance was a masterclass in accuracy, as she removed key players in quick succession. Her dominance in the middle overs left Pakistan’s lower order with little room to maneuver.
Mithila Vinod and VJ Joshitha provided solid support to Yadav. Vinod, with her disciplined bowling, claimed 1 wicket for 15 runs, while Joshitha picked up 1 for 13. Both bowlers kept the pressure on, forcing the Pakistan batters to play risky shots that ultimately led to more wickets. Parunika Sisodia, though not as destructive as Yadav, also played her part, taking 1 wicket for 17 runs. The Indian bowlers, collectively, ensured that Pakistan’s middle and lower order had no opportunity to recover.
Pakistan Struggles
Despite the wickets tumbling, Pakistan’s middle order did offer some resistance. Zoofishan Ayyaz contributed 4 runs from 15 balls, while Fatima Khan’s brief stay at the crease saw her score 11 runs from 18 balls. However, neither could shift the momentum in Pakistan’s favour, and they were soon dismissed as part of India’s relentless attack.
As Pakistan’s innings wound down, Quratulain Ahsen (9 not out) and Mahnoor Zeb (3 not out) were left stranded at the crease, unable to prevent the collapse. Pakistan’s final total of 67/7 in 20 overs was a stark reflection of India’s tight bowling and the pressure they applied at every stage of the innings.
India’s bowlers, led by the outstanding Sonam Yadav, demonstrated great control and discipline, executing their plans to perfection. The consistent breakthroughs throughout the innings ensured that Pakistan’s batting never gained any momentum, and their total remained well below par for a competitive total. Yadav’s exceptional spell, supported by the accuracy of Vinod, Joshitha, and Sisodia, restricted Pakistan to a meager 67 runs, setting India up for a comfortable chase.
G Kamalini Paves The Way For A Win
In reply to Pakistan Under-19s’ total of 67, India Under-19s made light work of the chase, comfortably reaching the target with 73 balls to spare. However, their innings began with a setback as Gongadi Trisha was dismissed for a duck in the very first over, caught and bowled by Fatima Khan. This early wicket left India at 0/1, but it was only a minor hiccup in what would turn out to be a dominant chase.
G Kamalini, who had been in excellent form throughout the tournament, quickly took charge and guided India’s pursuit with a scintillating knock of 44 not out off just 29 balls. Kamalini’s aggressive stroke play was a treat to watch as she effortlessly found the boundary. She struck 4 boundaries and 3 sixes, with some well-timed shots that not only accelerated India’s scoring but also put Pakistan’s bowlers under pressure. Her first boundary came in the second over, and from there, she took control of the chase, playing with great fluency.
Sanika Chalke Plays Excellent Second Fiddle
Sanika Chalke, at the other end, provided solid support to Kamalini. Chalke was more measured in her approach, accumulating 19 not out from 17 balls. Her contribution was crucial in keeping the momentum going while Kamalini took charge of the scoring. Chalke hit 3 boundaries and rotated the strike efficiently, allowing Kamalini to dominate. The pair formed an unbroken partnership of 68 runs, which steered India to their target with ease in just 7.5 overs.
Pakistan’s bowling attack had little to offer in terms of breakthroughs as the Indian chase gained momentum. Fatima Khan, the pick of Pakistan’s bowlers, managed to get the wicket of Gongadi Trisha, but that was the only success for Pakistan’s bowlers. Khan’s 3 overs cost 22 runs, and despite the early breakthrough, she could not stop the onslaught from Kamalini and Chalke.
The rest of Pakistan’s bowlers, including Mahnoor Zeb (0/16) and Rozina Akram (0/15), failed to make any significant impact. Both bowlers bowled tight spells but lacked the penetration required to break the partnership or stem the flow of runs.
India’s chase was clinical from start to finish. Kamalini’s aggressive batting set the tone, and with Chalke providing solid support, India coasted to victory without further complications. Pakistan’s bowlers were simply unable to find the breakthroughs that could have slowed down the chase, and as a result, India wrapped up the game in just 7.5 overs, securing a comprehensive 9-wicket win.
The standout performance came from Kamalini, whose 44* off 29 balls was a match-winning knock. She exhibited maturity and composure in her stroke play, making it look effortless as she guided India to the target with plenty of time to spare. For her brilliant knock, Kamalini was rightfully awarded the Player of the Match accolade.
India’s all-around dominance in the match, with both the bat and the ball, ensured they earned a well-deserved 2 points from the game, leaving Pakistan to reflect on their performance, especially with the bat, which failed to provide a competitive total.
Brief Scores: Under-19 Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2024- India vs Pakistan: Match 2
Pakistan Under-19s: 67/7 in 20 overs (Komal Khan 24, Fatima Khan 11; Sonam Yadav 4/6, Mithila Vinod 1/15, VJ Joshitha 1/13) lost to India Under-19s: 68/1 in 7.5 overs (G Kamalini 44*, Sanika Chalke 19*; Fatima Khan 1/22) by 9 wickets.
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