Dinesh Vrinda scored an unbeaten 55 [Source: @SACH7N_94/x.com]After suffering a shock defeat against UAE Women in their opening match of the ACC Women’s Asia Cup Rising Stars 2026, India A Women needed a strong response. And they have delivered exactly that. Facing arch-rivals Pakistan A Women in Bangkok, India A Women stormed back in style to secure an 8-wicket victory with 59 balls remaining. This is the kind of win that tells the rest of the tournament: India A Women are back in business. Indian Bowlers set the tone early Pakistan A Women opted to bat first, but from the very first over, things started to unravel. India A Women's bowlers came out breathing fire and never allowed Pakistan to settle. Saima Thakor struck early and set the tone. Captain Radha Yadav then spun a web through the middle overs, picking up two key wickets and keeping things tight. Prema Rawat joined the party with two scalps of her own, while Minnu Mani and Jintimani Kalita chipped in with crucial breakthroughs. Pakistan’s top order struggled to get going. Wickets kept falling at regular intervals and the run rate never took off. Only Shawaal Zulfiqar with 23 and Gull Rukh with 21 showed some resistance, while Anosha Nasir added 17 late in the innings. But overall, the Indian bowlers had Pakistan on the ropes throughout. Pakistan A Women were bundled out for just 93 in 18.5 overs, a total that always looked below par. Vrinda turns the chase into a walk in the park Chasing 94, India A Women lost Humaira Kazi on the very first ball. For a moment, Pakistan sensed an opening but that hope didn’t last long. Dinesh Vrinda walked in and took control of the chase like a seasoned pro. She played fearless cricket and kept the scoreboard ticking at a brisk pace. Boundaries started flowing and pressure quickly shifted back onto Pakistan. Vrinda smashed an unbeaten 55 off just 29 balls, laced with 12 fours. It was a knock full of intent and confidence. She took the game by the scruff of the neck and never let Pakistan settle. Anushka Sharma supported her well with a composed 24 as the duo stitched together a crucial partnership that effectively sealed the match. After Sharma departed, Tejal Hasabnis came in and finished things off in style with a quick unbeaten 12 off 5 balls as India A Women reached 97/2 in just 10.1 overs. Momentum back on India’s side This win couldn’t have come at a better time. After the early setback against UAE Women, questions were being asked. But India A Women have now answered in the best possible way: on the field. The bowlers were disciplined, the batters were aggressive and the team looked sharp in all departments. With confidence back in the camp and momentum on their side, India A Women will now look to build on this victory and push strongly ahead in the tournament.
