India secured their spot in the semi-finals of the Women’s Asia Cup 2024 after a dominant 82-run victory against Nepal on Tuesday in Dambulla. This win also ensured that Pakistan advanced to the top four.
Match Highlights:
Target and Performance: Nepal needed to chase a target of 179 runs within 10 overs but struggled against India’s bowlers throughout their innings.
Team Changes: India rested their captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, and also left out Pooja Vastrakar. Smriti Mandhana took over as captain, while Arundhati Reddy replaced Vastrakar in the playing XI. Mandhana did not bat, allowing Dayalan Hemalatha and Sajeevan Sajana a chance to bat.
Batting Highlights:
Shafali Verma: Shafali Verma had an excellent performance, scoring 81 runs off 48 balls, including 12 fours and one six. She reached her half-century in just 26 balls and formed a strong 122-run opening partnership with Hemalatha.
Dayalan Hemalatha: Hemalatha scored 47 runs, showing good form in T20Is.
Jemimah Rodrigues: Rodrigues contributed a quick 28 runs off 15 balls to boost the innings.
Sajeevan Sajana: Sajana struggled and was dismissed by Kabita Joshi.
Nepal’s Bowling: Sita Rana Magar was the best bowler for Nepal, finishing with 4 overs, 25 runs, and no wickets.
Bowling Highlights:
India’s Bowlers:
Arundhati Reddy: Reddy took crucial wickets, dismissing the dangerous Samjhana Khadka and Sita Rana Magar.
Radha Yadav: Yadav picked up two wickets and continued her strong performance from the series against South Africa.
Deepti Sharma: Sharma took 3 wickets for 13 runs, becoming the third-highest wicket-taker in Women’s T20Is, surpassing England’s Sophie Ecclestone and Australia’s Ellyse Perry.
Nepal was bowled out for 96 runs, with India maintaining tight control throughout the match. The semi-final opponents for India are yet to be decided, with Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bangladesh, and Malaysia all in the running to advance.
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