Pakistan scored 55. The send-off still came.
Fatima Sana dismissed Shafali Verma and gestured towards the pavilion. Then India finished Pakistan’s chaseable target in 8.4 overs.
Pakistan’s 55 was given a longer send-off than its defence.
Fatima Sana had Shafali Verma dismissed for 12, gestured towards the pavilion and briefly celebrated as though Pakistan had put up a total worth defending. Pakistan had, in fact, been bowled out for 55 — their lowest-ever Women’s T20I total, according to the Pakistan Cricket Board and the ICC.
India reached 57 for three in 8.4 overs to win the ACC Women’s T20 Asia Cup Group A match in Dubai on September 5. Sana took all three Indian wickets for 17 runs, so the spell itself was good. The scoreboard was less interested in theatre.
Commentator Vivek Razdan supplied the evening’s dry correction: “Your entire team just scored 55 runs, and now you’re sending Shafali Verma back.” Harmanpreet Kaur, leading India in her record 150th T20I as captain, finished unbeaten on 18. Pakistan’s send-off lasted longer than its defence of the total.