Women’s Asia Cup: India thrash Pakistan by 7 wickets to finish group …

Dubai [UAE], September 5 (ANI): India women’s team asserted their dominance over Pakistan, thrashing them by seven wickets in their T20 Asia Cup clash on Saturday at the Dubai International Stadium.

After bundling Pakistan out for just 55, India chased down the target in only 8.4 overs, with skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (18) and Deepti Sharma (12) remaining unbeaten at the crease. cricket-ipl.in

With this win, India completed a perfect group-stage campaign, securing three victories in as many matches. They defeated Thailand, Hong Kong and Pakistan to collect all six available points.

On the other hand, Pakistan’s final group-stage clash against Hong Kong will be a do-or-die encounter, with a place in the final four at stake.

Chasing a modest target of 56, Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana opened the innings for India. Verma wasted no time, smashing a six off the very first ball to get India’s chase off to a flying start.

Verma also completed 3,000 runs in Women’s T20 Internationals, reaching the milestone at just 22 years and 220 days to become the youngest player to do so. She is also the fastest to the landmark in terms of balls faced, reaching 3,000 runs in just 2,182 deliveries.

Verma’s stay at the crease was brief. In the second over, Pakistan skipper Fatima Sana dismissed her for 12, bringing Pratika Rawal to the crease alongside Mandhana.

Rawal got off the mark with a boundary, but her stay lasted just one more delivery. Sana struck again, dismissing Rawal for 4 on the very next ball to claim two wickets in the same over.

Mandhana, who had scored a century in India’s previous match, also fell to Sana in the fourth over, departing for 9 off 11 balls. Her dismissal left India reeling at 29/3.

Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and star all-rounder Deepti Sharma then took charge, steadying the innings and safely guiding India to 34/3 at the end of the powerplay.

Pakistan skipper Sana had a fluent power-play with the ball, grabbing all three wickets.

There have been 12 recorded instances of a captain taking at least three wickets inside the first six overs of a Women’s T20I. Five of those have come for full-member teams, with Hayley Matthews and Fatima Sana achieving the feat twice each, while Chamari Athapaththu has done so once.

India wrapped up the chase inside nine overs, with skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and Deepti Sharma leading the charge to seal a convincing victory.

Earlier in the match, Fiery spells from Shree Charani and Prema Rawat helped India dominate arch-rivals Pakistan, skittling them out for just 55 runs.

Openers Muneeba Ali and Shawaal Zulfiqar stitched a 27-run stand, but from there, it was a slow-burning punishment unleashed on Pakistani batters, who were skittled out for just 55 in 18.1 overs.

Muneeba Ali and Shawaal Zulfiqar were cautious at the start, with Zulfiqar taking two overs to find the boundary. In the third over, Pratika Rawal dropped a sitter off Kranti Gaud’s bowling, giving Muneeba Ali a lifeline.

The duo managed to get a boundary each, but Shafali Varma clean bowled Muneeba for a 15-ball 13. Pakistan was 27/1 in 4.3 overs.

The following over, bowled by Shree Charani, turned the game firmly in India’s favour as she struck twice. Gull Feroza was caught by Nandini Sharma at backward point for a three-ball duck, before Charani trapped Shawaal Zulfiqar lbw for 14 off 14 balls to end a sensational over. Pakistan were reduced to 29/3 after six overs.

India’s spinners continued to torment the Pakistan batting line-up, with Charani claiming her third wicket in the eighth over by dismissing Ayesha Zafar for 2. Prema Rawat then joined the wicket-taking spree, while Deepti Sharma accounted for Pakistan skipper Fatima Sana, who departed for a seven-ball duck. Pakistan were left reeling at 35/6 after 9.1 overs.

Halfway through, Pakistan was 36/6, with Eyman Fatima (0*) and Umm-e-Hani (1*) unbeaten. Pakistan’s downslide continued, as Eyman Fatima (5) was run out by Bharti Fulmali and Deepti Sharma, sinking to 45/7 in 13.1 overs.

Prema Rawat got some success, as she added two more wickets to her tally, removing Umm-e-Hani (6) and Umm-e-Hani (0), sinking Pakistan to 54/9 in 16.3 overs. Deepti Sharma got the final wicket, removing Tuba Hassan for nine in 16 balls, Pakistan was skittled out for 55 in 18.1 overs.

Charani (3/7) and Prema (3/9) were exceptional in their four-over spells, with Deepti getting two wickets and Shafali getting one. (ANI)

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IND W vs PAK W: वूमेंस एशिया कप 2026 के नौवें मुकाबले में भारतीय टीम ने पाकिस्तान को 7 विकेट से रौंद डाला। इस शर्मनाक हार के बावजूद पाकिस्तान की टीम सेमीफाइनल में जगह बना सकती है। भारत और पाकिस्तान की टीमें ग्रुप ए में हैं और साथ में थाईलैंड और हांगकांग की टीमें भी हैं। भारतीय टीम ने तीनों मुकाबले जीत लिए हैं और पहले ही सेमीफाइनल के लिए जगह पक्की कर चुकी है। तो वहीं पाकिस्तान की टीम ने दो मुकाबले खेले हैं और थाईलैंड को हराया है, जिसकी वजह से उसका नेट रन रेट अभी भी थाईलैंड और हांगकांग से बेहतर है।

2026 Italian Grand Prix FP2 Results as Russell Leads at Monza

George Russell put Mercedes at the top of the timesheets in 2026 Italian Grand Prix FP2, finishing ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and teammate Kimi Antonelli at Monza.

Russell produced a fastest lap of 1:22.559, beating Leclerc by 0.120 seconds, while Antonelli was only another 0.021 seconds behind in third. The closely matched session suggested that Mercedes and Ferrari could be set for a tight battle when qualifying arrives.

Russell Sets the Pace in 2026 Italian Grand Prix FP2

The session began with drivers using a mixture of medium and hard tyres, with Antonelli initially leading the timesheets.

The Mercedes driver posted a 1:23.417, with Russell and Leclerc also within just a few hundredths of a second. As the session progressed, the teams switched their focus towards qualifying simulations using the soft tyres.

Antonelli was among the first to make the switch and eventually recorded a 1:22.700. Russell then improved to 1:22.686, before Leclerc briefly moved to the top with a 1:22.679.

Russell responded immediately, setting the session-best 1:22.559, a time that remained unbeaten until the chequered flag.

Ferrari Remains Close Behind Mercedes

Leclerc finished second and continued Ferrari’s encouraging start to its home Grand Prix weekend.

The Monegasque driver had topped FP1, where Ferrari achieved a one-two with Lewis Hamilton. Ferrari’s upgraded engine package has therefore shown promising early pace at Monza, although Friday practice does not provide a complete picture of qualifying or race performance.

Hamilton finished fifth in FP2, while McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri occupied fourth and sixth respectively.

Top Six in 2026 Italian Grand Prix FP2

1. George Russell — Mercedes

Time: 1:22.559

2. Charles Leclerc — Ferrari

Gap: +0.120s

3. Kimi Antonelli — Mercedes

Gap: +0.141s

4. Lando Norris — McLaren

Gap: +0.384s

5. Lewis Hamilton — Ferrari

Gap: +0.457s

6. Oscar Piastri — McLaren

Gap: +0.469s

Antonelli Impresses Despite Grid Penalty

Antonelli’s third-place finish was particularly significant given his situation heading into the weekend.

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The championship leader will start the Italian Grand Prix from the back of the grid after Mercedes took an engine change that resulted in a penalty.

Despite that setback, Antonelli remained extremely competitive in FP2 and ended just 0.141 seconds away from Russell. His pace could also prove valuable to Mercedes during qualifying, even though his own starting position is already compromised.

Verstappen Struggles at Monza

It was a difficult session for reigning Italian Grand Prix winner Max Verstappen.

The Red Bull driver complained about a lack of downforce early in FP2 and returned to the pits while the team worked on the car, including a front-wing change.

Verstappen eventually finished ninth, 0.818 seconds behind Russell. Red Bull also faced concerns over grip, braking and the behaviour of the car, leaving the team with significant work to do before qualifying.

Bearman Impresses as Haas Upgrade Shows Promise

One of the notable performances further down the order came from Ollie Bearman, who finished eighth for Haas.

Bearman was using Haas’s major 2026 upgrade package along with a Ferrari engine and ended the session only 0.811 seconds off Russell’s benchmark.

The result provided encouragement for Haas after a difficult run of races. The team will now look to carry that pace into qualifying and Sunday’s race.

What 2026 Italian Grand Prix FP2 Means

The 2026 Italian Grand Prix FP2 result gives Mercedes an early advantage, but the margins remain extremely small.

Russell leads Leclerc by just 0.120 seconds, while Antonelli is only 0.141 seconds off the pace. McLaren is also within half a second, meaning the front of the field remains tightly packed.

Ferrari will take confidence from Leclerc’s pace and its FP1 one-two, while Mercedes can be encouraged by Russell’s response in the second session.

With Monza’s long straights making qualifying position, slipstreaming and straight-line speed particularly important, Saturday’s qualifying session promises to be another close contest.

Full FP2 Results

The complete 2026 Italian Grand Prix FP2 order was:

George Russell — Mercedes — 1:22.559

Charles Leclerc — Ferrari — +0.120s

Kimi Antonelli — Mercedes — +0.141s

Lando Norris — McLaren — +0.384s

Lewis Hamilton — Ferrari — +0.457s

Oscar Piastri — McLaren — +0.469s

Arvid Lindblad — Racing Bulls — +0.790s

Ollie Bearman — Haas — +0.811s

Max Verstappen — Red Bull — +0.818s

Yuki Tsunoda — Racing Bulls — +0.896s

The battle for pole at Monza is now set up, with Russell entering qualifying as the driver to beat after Friday’s second practice session.

Ysyk-Kol [Kyrgyzstan], September 6 (ANI): As part of the cultural program of the 6th World Nomad Games, a collection of 16 monumental stone sculptures has been created at the Centre for Nomadic Civilisation in the village of Ornok, Issyk-Kul region, as per the Kabar News Agency.

The sculptures celebrate the history, culture, and philosophy of nomadic civilisation.

The sculptures were created especially for the Games and will remain at the Centre as part of its permanent open-air art collection, according to the World Nomad Games 2026 Media Headquarters, as quoted by the Kabar News Agency.

The project followed a competitive selection process organised as part of the Games’ cultural program. More than 75 proposals were received, from which a special commission selected 16 projects to be brought to life in stone.

Following the selection process, the participating sculptors travelled to Ornok, where they spent a month creating their works in the run-up to the Games. Uzgen travertine was chosen as the primary material, enabling the artists to create large-scale monumental compositions.

All 16 sculptures have now been installed on the grounds of the Centre. Their themes reflect the history, traditions, spiritual values, and worldview of nomadic peoples.

Among the works are “Ozök" (“Basis"), “Return of the Nomads," “Tradition," “Nomadic Spirit," “Zhargylchak," “Music," “Freedom," “Sayapker," “Shaman," “Toguz Kyrgool," and “Meikindik," among others, as per the Kabar News Agency.

Sculptor Bakyt Imanbaev presented “Zhargylchak," a decorative composition inspired by a traditional household tool once used by Kyrgyz women. The zhargylchak played an important role in nomadic daily life, serving to process grain and prepare flour and talkan.

Imanbaev said he first sketched the concept while studying at the Kyrgyz State Art Academy. The original work was later purchased by a foreign tourist. Given the opportunity to take part in the sculpture symposium, he revisited the idea, noting that its concept closely aligned with the theme of nomadic civilisation, as per the Kabar News Agency.

One of the project’s key works, “Ozök," explores the roots and foundations of nomadic culture. The composition blends traditional ornamental elements with contemporary artistic forms, highlighting the ongoing evolution of nomadic cultural heritage.

Organisers and participating artists stressed that the sculptures were created as permanent works rather than for a temporary exhibition and will remain at the Centre for visitors to experience.

“Today, when we look at balbals, we can determine the period and era to which they belong. In the same way, our compositions will tell future generations that the 6th World Nomad Games were held here in 2026 and convey the ideas we sought to express," Imanbaev said.

The collection is expected to support the development of the Centre for Nomadic Civilisation as an open-air museum, combining contemporary sculpture with the historical and cultural heritage of nomadic civilisation.

The 16 stone sculptures will remain on the Center’s grounds as a lasting cultural legacy of the 6th World Nomad Games and a reflection of how contemporary artists interpret and preserve the heritage of the nomadic world.

The 6th World Nomad Games are taking place in Kyrgyzstan from Aug. 31 to Sept. 6, 2026. The Games officially opened at Bishkek Arena in the capital on Aug. 31, while the main competitions are being held in the Issyk-Kul region from Sept. 1 to 6. More than 3,000 athletes representing 109 countries are taking part in the Games. (ANI)

(This content is sourced from a syndicated feed and is published as received. The Tribune assumes no responsibility or liability for its accuracy, completeness, or content.)