Women's T20 World Cup 2024: Unbeaten Australia Seal Semi-Final Berth, India Made to Wait to Confirm Their Spot

Unbeaten Australia women sealed semifinal berth in the Women's T20 World Cup 2024 following a 13-run win against India in their final Group A match at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in Sharjah on Sunday (October 13).

Harmanpreet Kaur scored an unbeaten fifty, but could not see her team across the line, leaving the Women in Blue in a difficult position to qualify for the semifinals of the tournament.

Chasing 152 for a win, India ended at 142 for 9 with captain Harmanpreet top-scoring with 54 not out off 47 balls. Deepti Sharma and Shafali Verma chipped in with 29 and 20 respectively.

For Australia, Annabel Sutherland and Sophie Molineux claimed two wickets each, while Megan Schutt and Ash Gardner also chipped in with a wicket-a-piece.

India ended their Group A campaign on four points after two wins and two losses. Now, Harmanpreet's side will wait on the result of Pakistan vs New Zealand to know their fate.

Australia, who topped the group with four wins, qualified for the semifinals with 8 points. This is the ninth time Australia has qualified for the semifinals, and chase their seventh T20 World Cup.

While India still remained second despite the loss, New Zealand (4 points) need a win against Pakistan on Monday (October 14) to make it to the last-four stage. Coming into the game on the back of two defeats, Pakistan face New Zealand in Dubai.

Earlier, opting to bat, Australia were restricted to 151 for 8 with opener Grace CoHarris top-scoring with 40 off 41 balls. Stand-in captain Tahlia McGrath and Ellyse Perry chipped in with 32 each.

For India, Renuka Singh and Deepti Sharma took two wickets apiece while Pooja Vastrakar, Radha Yadav and Shreyanka Patil got one each. Radha, a late replacement for Asha Sobhana, also claimed good catches.

Australia will now play the first semifinal on Thursday (October 17) at the Dubai International Stadium in Dubai, where they could face the runner up from Group B, which still remains undecided with England, South Africa and West Indies in the race for two spots.