The Indian Women’s Cricket Team secured a spot in the Asian Games 2023 finals with a commanding win over Bangladesh. Led by captain Smriti Mandhana, the team defeated Bangladesh by eight wickets, ensuring a medal for India. With this victory, the Indian team is now just one win away from the gold.
In a match held at the Pingfang Campus Cricket Field in Hangzhou, Bangladesh’s captain Nigar Sultana won the toss and chose to bat first. However, this decision proved to be entirely wrong as the entire Bangladesh team crumbled like a house of cards. Only Nigar Sultana managed to score 12 runs. The Bangladesh team was all out for a total of 51 runs in 17.5 overs. Subsequently, the Indian team chased down the target, losing two wickets in 8.2 overs.
What a win! ๐
— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) September 24, 2023
Pooja Vastrakar shines with a 4โฃ- wicket haul as #TeamIndia chase down the target with more than 11 overs to spare ๐๐
India are through to the Final! ๐๐
Scorecard – https://t.co/G942Qn13JI#AsianGames | #IndiaAtAG22 pic.twitter.com/vetB8QgcFq
Medium-pacer Pooja Vastrakar played a phenomenal role, taking four wickets by conceding just 17 runs in her 4 overs. Additionally, players like Titas Sadhu, Amanjot Kaur, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, and Devika Vaidya also took one wicket each.
With the target of 52 runs to chase, Indian Women’s Cricket Team captain Smriti Mandhana returned to the pavilion at a meager score of 7 runs, falling victim to Marufa Akhtar. Following this, Shefali Verma (17) lost her wicket at a score of 40. Jemimah Rodrigues contributed 20 runs before being dismissed.
Inexpensively, Captain Mandhana led her team to a resounding victory, securing a place in the finals and bringing them one step closer to the coveted gold medal.