With the match being lowered to a 15-over-a-side contest, India exhibited exceptional batting prowess, posting an imposing whole of 173 for the lack of 2 wickets. This spectacular whole was primarily attributed to the stellar performances of Shafali Verma, skipper Smriti Mandhana, who contributed 27 runs from 16 balls, and Jemimah Rodrigues, who blazed her approach to 47 runs from 29 deliveries. Richa Ghosh’s cameo, contributing 21 runs from a mere 7 balls, served because the icing on the cake.
For Malaysia, the monumental job of surpassing the 100-run mark, not to mention chasing the revised goal of 177 set by the DLS technique, was all however not possible. Malaysia solely managed to face two deliveries earlier than torrential rain intervened, forcing the match to be referred to as off prematurely.
India’s superior ICC rating, as of June 1, positioned them because the top-seeded Asian crew within the competitors, thereby securing their passage to the semifinals.
Opting to area first on a sluggish pitch, Malaysia’s skipper Winifred Duraisingam watched as her crew struggled, marred by sloppy fielding that resulted in a number of dropped catches. Malaysia’s bowling assault lacked the firepower to bother India’s batters.
The dearth of tempo of their deliveries compelled Shafali Verma to often step down the monitor in a bid to satisfy the ball early. In the meantime, Smriti Mandhana capitalized on full-toss deliveries, dispatching them to all corners of the bottom.
India’s opening pair amassed 59 runs throughout the Powerplay earlier than Smriti Mandhana was dismissed whereas making an attempt a pull shot off a barely fuller supply from spinner Mahira Izzati Ismail.
Shafali Verma’s fierce innings featured 5 towering sixes and 4 boundaries. Her hanging prowess was prominently evident within the area between sq. leg and deep mid-wicket, together with a straight six that propelled her to a well-deserved half-century.
Jemimah Rodrigues showcased her superb kind, amassing six boundaries and forming an important partnership of 86 runs for the second wicket with Shafali. Nevertheless, Shafali Verma confronted a second of discomfort when she was struck on her proper forearm by a robust back-drive by Rodrigues, necessitating quick medical consideration.
Regardless of a reprieve within the deep off the bowling of Mas Elysa, Shafali Verma was subsequently caught plumb in entrance. Richa Ghosh’s explosive efficiency within the last over of the innings, together with 4 boundaries, propelled India previous the 170-run mark.
India’s exceptional batting show and Shafali Verma’s explosive innings secured their place within the semifinals, main them to victory over Malaysia resulting from their superior ICC rating.
(With PTI inputs)
