India Women's cricket team qualify for Asian Games semi-final after rain washes out quarter-final match against Malaysia

India Women's Cricket Team will play the Asian Games 2023 semi-final on Sunday, 24th September.

Indian Women’s Cricket team qualified for the semi-final round in the ongoing Asian Games 2023 in Hangzhou. The quarter final game against Malaysia was washed out due to the persistent shower and the game couldn’t proceed further. Malaysia Women’s innings started after a rain break but the heavy showers resisted the proceedings once again and the game was called off.

The game was curtailed to 15 overs a side due to heavy rain before the toss. The Indian Women’s team was led by Smriti Mandhana in Harmanpreet Kaur’s absence. Harmanpreet Kaur is out due to the 2-match ban imposed by ICC. After winning the toss, Malaysia decided to invite the Indian team to bat.

Brilliant start from Indian openers

Openers Shafali Verma and captain Smriti Mandhana had a magnificent start. They both added 57 runs in the first 5 overs before Madhana (27) got a leading edge and she was caught at point. Shafali Verma continued with her swashbuckling knock and went on to score a half-century. Verma with 4 fours and 5 sixes in her innings, scored 67 runs in 39 balls. Number 3 Jemimah Rodrigues (47) also played a great support to Shafali Verma and they both added 86 runs in 8 overs.

Wicket-keeper Richa Ghos also grabbed the opportunity and played a great cameo to take India’s score 173 runs in 15 overs. Richa Ghosh smashed 21 runs in just 8 balls with 3 fours and a six in the last over of the innings. India closed down their innings with 20 runs in the last over. Indian batters took great advantage of Malaysia’s inexperienced bowling lineup.

Malaysia’s innings was only possible for two balls and then the wet conditions didn’t allow the game any further. Malaysia needed 174 runs in 15 overs to get a historical win. Indian Women’s team advanced to the semi-final despite a washout due to the higher seeding they have for the Asian Games event in 2023. India will next take on the winner of quarter final 4, where Bangladesh and Hong Kong will meet on 22nd September.