Dambulla, July 19 (Reporter) Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma starred in India’s commanding seven-wicket win against Pakistan in the Group A match of the Women's Asia Cup at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on Friday. Chasing a modest target of 109, the Indian openers made a strong start, putting the team on track for what initially seemed like a potential 10-wicket victory. Smriti Mandhana contributed a brisk 45 runs off 31 balls, while Shafali Verma scored 40 runs off 29 balls, leading the charge and scoring freely. Despite a few late wickets, India reached the target with ease. Pakistan's young leg-spinner Syeda Aroob Shah managed to take two crucial wickets, and Nashra Sandhu added another, momentarily delaying India's triumph. However, India's top order capitalised on Pakistan's inconsistent bowling, frequently finding the boundary and maintaining a high run rate throughout the chase. Earlier in the match, Pakistan struggled with the bat, managing only 109 runs. They lost wickets at regular intervals and failed to build any significant partnerships. India's bowlers, particularly the spinners, kept the pressure on Pakistan's batswomen, ensuring they were unable to post a competitive total. Deepti Sharma (3/20) and Shreyanka Patil (2/14) were particularly effective, picking up crucial wickets and maintaining tight lines. Pacers Renuka Singh and Pooja Vastrakar each claimed two wickets. Pakistan's batting woes were evident from the start, as they found it difficult to rotate the strike and score freely. Fatima Sana tried to anchor the innings with an unbeaten 22, but received little support from the other end. The Indian bowlers were relentless, with disciplined bowling and sharp fielding contributing to Pakistan's modest total. This win marks a strong start for India in the tournament, showcasing their batting depth and bowling prowess. The team will look to build on this performance in the upcoming matches. Meanwhile, Pakistan will need to regroup and address their batting issues. They have the talent and potential to bounce back but will need to learn from this match and make the necessary adjustments as the tournament progresses...////...