India cruised into the Women’s Asian Games semifinals following a comprehensive victory over Japan in the quarterfinal stage. Opting to field first after winning the toss, the Indian side unleashed a relentless spin attack, utilizing 95 deliveries of spin to dismantle the Japanese batting lineup. The spinners proved lethal, collectively securing 8 wickets for 46 runs to bundle the hosts out for a mere 57 in 19.5 overs.
Left-arm spinner Shree Charani was the standout performer, claiming career-best figures of 4 for 10 across her four overs, a spell highlighted by 20 dot balls. Her efforts were supported by Shafali Verma, who contributed 2 for 13, while Deepti Sharma and Shreyanka Patil added a wicket each. For Japan, opener Ayaka Kato-Stafford provided the primary resistance with a 47-ball 25, while Haruna Iwasaki was the only other batter to reach double figures.
In response, India wrapped up the chase in just five overs. Shafali Verma dominated the crease, smashing an unbeaten 40 off 15 deliveries, featuring six fours and two sixes. Although Japanese bowlers Nonoha Yasumoto and Kato-Stafford managed brief breakthroughs to dismiss Gunalan Kamalini and Bharti Fulmali respectively, the target proved insufficient as India cruised to 59/2.
The defending champions will now progress to the semifinal round to face Bangladesh. Brief scores: Japan 57 all out in 19.5 overs (Ayaka Kato-Stafford 25; Shree Charani 4-10, Shafali Verma 2-13) lost to India 59/2 in 5 overs (Shafali Verma 40*; Nonoha Yasumoto 1-8). The report also notes that but India quickly regained control through Shafali’s assault.
