Nisshin (Japan): Opener Shafali Verma’s all-round brilliance and left-arm spinner Shree Charani’s devastating spell powered defending gold-medallists India into the Asian Games women’s cricket semifinals with a dominant eight-wicket win over an inexperienced Japan, here on Friday.
Charani (4/10) and Shafali (2/13) shared six wickets between them as India bowled out Japan for a paltry 57, and then chased down the target in just five overs to set up a clash with Bangladesh on September 20.
Shafali (40 not out, 15 balls) played the lead role in that pygmy-sized chase, along with Richa Ghosh (12, six balls).
Charani broke Japan apart. She finished with 4/10, her best figures in T20s, while Shafali took 2/13 as India dismissed Japan for 57. The Indian spinners controlled the innings from the start and never allowed the home side to attack freely.
Japan managed only three boundaries in their innings. Their Power Play yielded 24 runs and just two fours, one of them an edge that ran through the slips.
The surface added to India’s grip. The pitch offered pronounced turn and bounce, making life harder for Japan’s batters against a stronger bowling attack.
Japan still had a few moments to celebrate. They managed to dismiss opener Gunalan Kamalini and one-down batter Bharti Fulmali during India’s chase. Earlier, Haruna Iwasaki made 10 before Charani struck, and skipper Mai Yanagida fell off the next ball in the seventh over.
Ayaka Kato-Stafford top-scored for Japan with 25, but Shafali dismissed her in the 15th over as Japan’s batters tried to clear the infield with aerial shots.
Shimako Kato fell in the 17th over, and a couple of run-outs added to Japan’s troubles as they struggled for coordination while running between the wickets.
India finished it quickly. Shafali dominated the chase with 40 not out from 15 balls. Richa Ghosh gave brisk support with 12 off six balls as India knocked off the target of 58 in five overs.
Japan celebrated their two wickets with spirit while defending a very small total. But India won without much fuss and moved into the last four.
