Jaipur: Defending champion India started its women's Asia Cup cricket campaign on a winning note thrashing Pakistan by 80 runs at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium here on Wednesday.

Rumeli Dhar (53) struck a timely half-century to help India post 239 for nine in its allotted 50 overs before debutant Trish Kamini claimed three wickets to restrict Pakistan to 159 for six.

Indian skipper Mithali Raj's decision to bat backfired when medium pacer Quanila Jalil (five for 62) made vital inroads in the top order. Dhar (53) and Hemalata Kala (45) came together to bail out the host after it was tottering at 51 for four in 10 overs.

Amita Sharma also struck an unbeaten 45 lower down the order to accelerate the scoring in the slog overs.

The scores: India 239 for nine in 50 overs (Hemalata Kala 45, Rumeli Dhar 53, Amita Sharma 45 not out, Qanita Jalil five for 62) bt Pakistan 159 for six in 50 overs (Bismah Mahroof 43, Sajda Shah 44). — PTI

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