India beat Pakistan by 80 runs

Jaipur, Dec 13 (UNI) A brilliant half century by Rumeli Dhar (53) and his century stand with Hemlata Kala (45) helped defending champions India start their campaign on a winning note as they thrashed Pakistan by 80 runs in the inaugural tie of the third Asia Cup women's cricket championship at the SMS Stadium here today.

Winning the toss and electing to bat, India made 239 for nine in the stipulated 50 overs with Amita Sharma returning unbeaten on 45.

In reply, Pakistan could only score 159 for six in full 50 overs.

Bismah Mahroof (43), Urooz Mumtaz (23) and Sajda Shah (44) were their main scorers.

Trish Kamni took three for 19 for India.

Earlier, India made a shaky start losing four wickets for only 51 runs as the two Pakistan medium pacers -- Q Jalil and A Iqbal -- shared the four wickets with the new ball.

Later, Kala and Dhar batted sensibly and put on 105 for the fifth wicket before the former departed. Kala made 45 with the help of six fours.

Dhar was out for 53 which was studded with four fours and a six, but Amita delighted with her solid unbeaten 45 in only 47 balls that contained six hits to the fence.

Jalil was the most successful Pakistani bowler, taking five for 62.

Following is the scoreboard: India innings: Sulakshna c Butt b Jalil 12 Trish Kamini b Iqbal 22 Mithali Raj c Sana b Jalil 2 Anjum Chopra c Sana b Iqbal 1 Hemlata Kala c Sana b Sabahat 45 Rumeli Dhar b Jalil 53 Reema Malhotra b Jalil 4 Amita Sharma not out 45 Jhulan Goswami c Batool b Jalil 0 Nooshin Khadeer lbw Jalil 0 Priti Dimri not out 12 Extras: (B 3, LB 2, W 38) 43 Total: (For nine wickets in 50 overs) 239 Fall of wickets: 1/25 2/41 3/48 4/51 5/156 6/163 7/195 8/207 9/207 Bowling: Asmavia Iqbal 9-0-47-2 Qanita Jalil 10-0-62-5 Maryam Butt 3-0-17-0 Sajda Shah 8-2-17-0 Sana Mir 4-0-27-0 S Rasheed 9-1-29-1 Urooj Mumtaz 7-0-35-1 Pakistan innings: Taskeen lbw b Amita 7 Bismah lbw Trish 43 Urooz Mumtaz c Jhulan b Reema 23 Sana b Jhulan 17 Sajda Shah c&b Trish 44 Sana Mir not out 9 Qanita Jalil b Trish 3 Maryam Butt not out 2 Extras: (NB 3, W 8) 11 Total (For six wickets in 50 overs) 159 Fall of wickets: 1/18 2/81 3/85 4/139 5/151 6/157 Bowling: Jhulan Goswami 7-1-32-1 Amita Sharma 5-0-18-0 Nooshin Khadeer 8-0-35-0 Rumeli Dhar 5-1-18-0 Priti Dimri 8-3-17-0 Trish Kamini 10-1-19-3 Reema Malhotra 7-0-20-1 UNI