India beat Bangladesh to stay in Women’s T20 World Cup semifinal race
Shafali Verma’s 53 helped India chase 137 in Manchester, while South Africa’s win over the Netherlands tightened Group A.
By James Whitfield · Staff Writer
2 min read
India strengthened their push for a Women’s T20 World Cup semifinal place with a five-wicket win over Bangladesh in Manchester on Thursday, AFP reported. The result kept India level on points with South Africa in a tight Group A race behind unbeaten Australia.
Set 137 at Old Trafford, India got the chase under control through opener Shafali Verma, who made 53 from 34 balls and was named player of the match. India reached the target before 17 overs were complete.
Bangladesh had earlier been held to 136-8 after India’s spinners did most of the damage. Radha Yadav took 3-28, while Shree Charani returned 2-21.
AFP reported that India’s win came despite a poor fielding display in which they dropped four catches. Bangladesh, however, could not turn those chances into a larger total.
Group A race tightens
South Africa also won on Thursday, beating the Netherlands by 88 runs after Tazmin Brits made her first T20 international century. That result left India and South Africa on six points each, two behind Australia and two ahead of Bangladesh, according to AFP.
Australia lead Group A unbeaten. Bangladesh retain only a narrow mathematical chance of reaching the knockout stage, with their final pool match scheduled against South Africa at Lord’s on Sunday.
India also play on Sunday at Lord’s, where they face Australia. AFP reported that India hold the better run rate compared with South Africa, but their final group match is against the six-time champions.
Brits powers South Africa
South Africa were in control against the Netherlands after Brits and Laura Wolvaardt shared a 121-run opening stand. Wolvaardt made 45 before being dismissed.
Brits continued to dominate the Dutch attack alongside Annerie Dercksen, who finished unbeaten on 37 from 16 balls. Brits ended on 114 not out from 69 deliveries, hitting 15 fours and three sixes, as South Africa posted 208-1.
The Netherlands began their reply well, with Phebe Molkenboer scoring 41 and Sanya Khurana making 36 in an opening partnership of 58. Sterre Kalis added 26 from 28 balls, but AFP reported that the innings fell away after those three wickets.
Ayabonga Khaka led South Africa’s bowling with 3-19. Chloe Tryon, bowling slow left-arm spin, took 2-16 from her four overs.
The final round of Group A matches will decide whether India or South Africa can claim the second semifinal place behind Australia, while Bangladesh need other results to keep their slim hopes alive.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.