Nisshin, Sept. 18 -- 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 among 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).
However, Japan also had some moments to cheer as they managed to dismiss opener Gunalan Kamalini and one down batter Bharti Fulmali.
The ensuing celebrations proved Japan's spirit despite defending an abysmally low target.
But spirit alone could not help them thwart players in the class of Shafali and Ghosh, who took India home without much fuss.
The credit for restricting Japan to just-above 50 went largely to Indian spinners led by Charani.
Bowling by choice, Indians never gave the Japan batters any chance to free their arms, which was reflected in just three boundaries in the host team's innings.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.