India, Sept. 19 -- 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).

However, Japan also had some moments to cheer as they managed to dismiss opener Gunalan Kamalini and one-down batter Bharti Fulmali...