India beat Pakistan in Women's T20 World Cup

Opener Poonam Raut cracked a patient half-century as India inflicted a crushing nine-wicket defeat over Pakistan in their Group B Women's Twenty20 World Cup at Warner Park in St. Kitts.

Priyanka Roy's leg-break was too hot to handle for the Pakistani batswomen as the spinner returned with a three-wicket haul to restrict the arch-rivals for a paltry 104 for six.

The Indians then returned with a clinical batting performance with Poonam leading from the front with a run-a-ball 54 and added an unbeaten 79 runs along with Mithali Raj (33) to overhaul the target with 20 balls to spare.

Poonam slammed six fours in her 54-ball innings, while Mithali's 28-ball innings was studded with just two fours as India scored 106 in 16.4 overs to complete the much-deserving victory.

Earlier, skipper Sana Mir top-scored with a 41-ball 35, which was bejewelled with three fours, to anchor the Pakistan innings after their decision to bat first backfired as the top and middle order crumbled.

Opener Nain Abidi (20 off 14 balls) and Urooj Mumtaz (26) were the other contributors in Pakistan's innings.

For India, Gouher Sultana, Rumeli Dhar and Diana David captured one wicket apiece to contribute to their team's win.