India A vs Pakistan A: Vrinda Dinesh’s blazing 55 and ruthless spin attack smash Pakistan in Asia Cup Rising Stars

If anyone thought India A would struggle after their opening loss to UAE, Vrinda Dinesh had other plans. The young opener tore Pakistan A apart with a blazing 55 off just 29 balls helping India A cruise to an emphatic eight-wicket win in their Group A clash of the Women’s Asia Cup Rising Stars on Sunday at the Terdthai Cricket Ground. The defending champions made it look easy chasing a tiny target of 94 in just 10.1 overs, leaving the opposition chasing shadows.

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IND vs PAK | During the toss ceremony, India captain Suryakumar Yadav and Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha did not exchange the customary handshake, with the “no-handshake policy” appearing to remain in effect.
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How spinners set the stage

The story of the match, though, began with India A’s spin quartet. Saima Thakor led the charge with the new ball claiming 2 for 14, while captain Radha Yadav spun a web around the middle order with 2 for 11.

Prema Rawat added her bit with 2 for 16 collectively dismantling Pakistan A for a meager 93 in 18.5 overs. Minnu Mani and Jintimani Kalita also chipped in with a scalp each leaving Pakistan reeling.

Pakistan never really got going. After opting to bat first, they slumped to 21 for 4 inside five overs. Huraina Sajjad and Shawaal Zulfiqar couldn’t survive the early spin onslaught, and Radha Yadav ensured there was no recovery after the powerplay by taking two more crucial wickets.

A brief 25-run partnership between Gull Rukh (21) and Anosha Nasir (17) offered a glimmer of hope. But the tail could only manage 15 more runs leaving Pakistan all out well short of a competitive total.

Vrinda and Anushka turn pressure into power

Chasing such a modest target, India A could have been comfortable. But cricket is never that simple. Opening partner Humairaa Kaazi fell on the very first ball to Waheeda Akhtar, and it seemed Pakistan might grab an early advantage.

Enter Vrinda Dinesh and Anushka Sharma. The duo counterattacked with aggression racing India A to 63 for 1 by the end of the powerplay.

Anushka fell for 24 in the ninth over, but Vrinda had already made her statement. She reached her fifty off a sizzling 25 balls, smashing 12 boundaries before left-arm spinner Momina Riasat finally got her in the ninth over.

The chase ended in style when Tejal Hasabnis hammered a six and a four finishing the game with 59 balls to spare.

No handshakes, just rivalry

This match also carried the familiar spice of India-Pakistan cricket: no handshake at the toss. The trend over the last year continued.

With this win, India A bounced back from their opening defeat to UAE and now sit second in Group A. Their final group match against Nepal on Tuesday will decide who moves into the semi-finals, with only the top two teams from the group advancing.

Brief scores

Pakistan A: 93 all out in 18.5 overs (Shawaal Zulfiqar 23, Gull Rukh 21; Radha Yadav 2-11, Saima Thakor 2-14)

India A: 97/2 in 10.1 overs (Vrinda Dinesh 55, Anushka Sharma 24; Momina Riasat 1-13, Waheeda Akhtar 1-18); India A won by eight wicket.