Pakistan qualify for Women's Asia Cup semi-final after India Women thrash Nepal by 82 runs

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Pakistan Women qualified for the Women's Asia Cup 2024 final after India Women defeated Nepal Women by 82 runs in their last Group A match at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on Tuesday, July 23.

Earlier in the day, Pakistan Women defeated UAE by 10 wickets, and were hoping for a thumping Indian win to qualify for the semi-finals. The Women in Blue did not disappoint them and were clinical in their all-round show which saw them restrict Nepal to 96/9 while defending 179.

India Women won the toss and opted to bat first, posting 178/3 at the end of three overs. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur, and Pooja Vastrakar were rested for the match, and stand-in captain Smriti Mandhana did not come out to bat.

Seven-time champions India Women openers Shafali Verma and Dayalan Hemalatha forged a 122-run opening stand off 84 balls. Shafali scored 81 off 48, while Hemalatha smashed 47 off 42. S Sajan was given an opportunity to bat at three but could score only 10 off 12. Jemimah Rodrigues scored 28 not out runs off 15 balls.

In the second half of the match, Deepti Sharma starred with the ball and registered figures of 3/13 in 14 overs. Arundhati Reddy, and Radha Yadav chipped in with two wickets each, while Renuka Singh picked a wicket after conceding just 15 runs in four overs.

After winning each of their three matches, India Women finished Group A as the table-toppers and will now face the team finishing second in Group B, in the semi-finals. Sri Lanka Women are almost certain of a place in the semi-finals after winning their first two games in Group B.

There is a fight between Thailand Women and Bangladesh Women to finish second in Group B. Sri Lanka will play their last group match against Thailand on Wednesday evening. Bangladesh will face Malaysia in the afternoon fixture.