India juniors whitewash Pakistan in first women's cricket series by AFP

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Ground:	Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
Scorecard:	Pakistan Women v India Under-21s Women
Player:	MD Thirush Kamini, KV Jain, Sana Mir
Event:	India Under-21s Women in Pakistan 2005/06

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DateLine: 2nd October 2005

 

India's juniors beat Pakistan by 99 runs in the fourth one-day match here on Sunday, whitewashing their hosts 4-0 in the first-ever women's cricket series between the two countries.

 

India's under-21 team proved superior yet again as they compiled 215-4 in their 40 overs with half-centuries from Thirush Kamini and captain Karuna Jain in the final match at the Gaddafi stadium.

 

They then wrapped up the match by restricting Pakistan to 116-9 in their allotted 40 overs.

 

"It was a fantastic series and we are thankful to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for the hospitality and look forward to more Indo-Pak series," Jain told AFP.

 

Jain, who was declared player of the series for her magnificent batting, stroked a masterful 59 while Kamini topscored with a punishing 63.

 

For the hosts, Sana Mir chipped in with 2-15.

 

Pakistan were never in the hunt for the target, losing wickets at regular intervals and falling 99 runs short.

 

"The Pakistan team is inexperienced because they have started recently but I would say they showed improvement with every match," said Jain.

 

"We were looked after very well and the hospitality proved the traditional values and we would always love to come to Pakistan," said Jain, whose team's week-long tour was the first by any women's sport team from India.

 

India won the earlier three matches in Lahore by margins of 30 and 33 runs and by eight wickets respectively.

 

Pakistan team captain Shamsa Hashmi termed the series the "first big step for her team."

 

"This series has given us the courage to take the sport forward and it will help us take on bigger challenges in the future," said Hashmi, also the secretary of the PCB's women's wing.

 

India's senior team is due to take part in the first-ever Asia Cup for women which is likely to be held in Pakistan in December. Besides Pakistan and India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will take part in the event.

 

The PCB, which took responsibility for women's cricket earlier this year, staged its first national women's cricket championship in March.

 

The conservative Islamic nation forbids women to wear T-shirts and shorts. They are attired in baggy trousers and long shirts and only families are allowed to watch the matches.

(Article: Copyright © 2005 AFP)