Nisshin: India produced a clinical all-round performance to beat Japan by eight wickets in the women’s cricket quarter-final at the Asian Games on Friday, booking their place in the semifinals with a dominant display.
Choosing to field first, India bundled Japan out for just 57 in 19.5 overs, with Sree Charani leading the bowling attack with four wickets. Shafali Verma claimed two, while Shreyanka Patil and Deepti Sharma took one each.
Japan struggled to establish partnerships as India maintained pressure throughout the innings. Ayaka Kato-Stafford offered some resistance with a 47-ball 25, but wickets continued to fall around her.
India needed only 58 runs for victory and completed the chase in five overs, finishing on 59/2.
Shafali provided the attacking impetus with an unbeaten 40 from 15 balls, including four boundaries. Richa Ghosh supported her with an unbeaten 12 off six deliveries.
India lost Gunalan Kamalini for a duck and Bharti Fulmali for six, but the early setbacks had little impact on the chase. Shafali finished the contest in style, hitting Shimako Kato for a six over long-on with one run needed.
India’s victory came with 90 balls to spare and set up a semifinal against Bangladesh on Sunday. The other semifinal will see Pakistan face Sri Lanka.
