GQEBERHA: Indian opener Smriti Mandhana’s career-best 87 powered India to edge Ireland by a mere five runs in the rain-affected clash and into the semi-finals of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.
India’s qualification to the semi-finals marked the end of Pakistan’s journey, who take England tomorrow in a dead rubber.
After opting to bat first, India piled a mammoth 155/6 in their set of 20 overs at the back of an astounding 56-ball 87 by Mandhana.
Earlier, Indian openers Mandhana and Shafali Verma scripted a solid start for their side as they raised 62 runs within 10 overs before the latter perished after scoring a cautious 29-ball 24.
Mandhana stood firm and stitched another vital partnership for her side with skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, who managed to score 13 off 20 before falling off Laura Delany in the 16th over.
Kaur’s dismissal triggered a collapse as Indian batters made desperate efforts to score big with their star batter Mandhana also falling after her career-best knock while India, consequently finished at 155/6.
Mandhana top-scored for her side with 87 off 56 deliveries with the help of nine boundaries and three sixes.
Delany led the bowling attack for Ireland with 3/33 while Orla Prendergast returned with 2/22.
Set to chase 156, Ireland could only bat for a mere 50 deliveries and scored 54/2, five runs behind the DLS par-score of 59 before the rain played spoilsport.
Irish opener Gaby Lewis remained unbeaten with a brisk 25-ball 32 and saw her efforts going in vain as India sealed a narrow victory that powered them into the semi-finals.
For India, only Renuka Singh could pick up a wicket.
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