Mithali Raj struck an unbeaten half-century before Indian bowlers came out with a stupendous performance to defeat Pakistan by 17 runs and win the Women’s Asia Cup T20 2016.
In the final played at the Asian Institute of Technology Ground in Bangkok, India successfully defended the title which they won in 2012 in Guangzhou. The win on Sunday marks the side's fourth win over Pakistan in the Asia Cup. India now has won all six of the Asia Cup titles — four 50-over and two T20.
Pakistan was set a target of 122 by India but could only manage 104 for six in its stipulated quota of 20 overs. Pakistan started off well during its chase and at 75 for three in the fourteenth over, it threatened to take the game away.
In the 14th over, offspinner Anuja Patil provided the break when she had Pakistan’s captain Bismah Maroof caught and bowled. Preeti Bose and Ekta Bisht followed with wickets to take the wind out of the chase.
Jhulan Goswami was the pick of the bowlers taking one wicket for 19 runs. She provided the first breakthrough and then capped off a win by bowling the stingy penultimate over .
Earlier, opting to bat first, Harmanpreet Kaur-led side rode on Mithali’s unbeaten 73 to post 121 for five in 20 overs. Mithali notched up her ninth T20I half-century during the course of her innings. Mithali was adjudged the player of the match as well as the player of the series for her supreme show throughout the tournament.
India had reached the final of the six-team tournament, with 10 points, after winning all of their five round-robin matches. Pakistan, with eight points, was second having won four of their five games. In the round-robin stage, India had defeated Pakistan by five wickets.
Brief scores:
India 121 for 5 in 20 overs (Mithali Raj 73 not out, Jhulan Goswami 17; Anam Amin 2 for 24, Sadia Yousuf 1 for 15) beat Pakistan 104 for 6 (Javeria Khan 22, Bismah Maroof 25; Ekta Bisht 2 for , Anuja Patil 1 for 18, Preeti Bose 1 for 18) by 17 runs.
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