Cricket

India's explosive opener Shafali Verma led the charge with a remarkable 48-ball 81, her career-best, propelling the defending champions to a decisive 82-run victory over Nepal in the Women's Asia Cup T20 tournament at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium in Dambulla on Tuesday. This win ensured India's progression to the semifinals.Opting to bat first after winning the toss, India capitalized on the opportunity with Hemalatha contributing a valuable 47 runs. The partnership's aggressive approach was instrumental in India reaching a competitive total of 178 for three. Jemimah Rodrigues further bolstered the innings with an unbeaten 28 off 15 balls, enhancing the score with three boundaries in the concluding over.Facing a challenging target, Nepal's pursuit was hindered by India's proficient bowling attack, limiting them to 96 for nine in their allotted 20 overs. The requirement for Nepal to surpass Pakistan's net run rate and secure a semifinal berth necessitated achieving the target within 10 overs, a feat they were unable to accomplish.Deepti Sharma emerged as the standout bowler for India, claiming three wickets for 13 runs. She was well-supported by Radha Yadav and Arundhati Reddy, who took two wickets each, contributing to a formidable bowling performance that stifled Nepal's chase.Nepal's innings was characterized by regular wicket losses, with their top order struggling against India's seam and spin attack. Arundhati Reddy's early dismissal of Nepal's openers set the tone, while Deepti Sharma's all-round performance, including a direct hit, showcased India's dominance in the field.Shafali Verma's innings was a highlight, featuring an array of shots that put the Nepalese bowlers under pressure. Her aggressive batting, marked by 12 fours and a six, was particularly punishing against medium pacer Kabita Joshi and off-spinner Sabnam Rai. Hemalatha, despite a slower start, managed to support the innings effectively, contributing with both boundaries and a six.The match also witnessed moments of resilience from Nepal, including a missed catch opportunity that could have broken the opening partnership earlier. However, India's batting prowess and disciplined bowling ultimately proved too strong for Nepal, confirming India's place in the semifinals alongside Pakistan from Group A.

India Women Dominate Asia Cup, Aim for Group Topper Spot Against NepalIndia's women's cricket team has showcased their prowess in both batting and bowling at the ongoing Women's Asia Cup. As they prepare to face Nepal in their final Group A match, the defending champions are poised to secure the top spot in the group.In their opening match against Pakistan, India's swashbuckling openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma set the tone with a blistering start. The bowlers then stepped up, restricting Pakistan to a manageable total. In the subsequent match against the UAE, skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and Richa Ghosh took center stage, guiding India to a massive 200-plus total in T20Is. Ghosh's destructive 64 off just 29 balls was a highlight of the innings.While Kaur played the anchor's role, Ghosh's blazing knock propelled India to their first-ever 200-plus total in T20Is. This dominant performance has put India in a strong position to enter the semifinals.Meanwhile, Pakistan has improved their net run rate with a comfortable win over Nepal, lifting them to second place in Group A. However, India remains unfazed and will focus on maintaining their momentum heading into the knockout stages.Nepal, on the other hand, faces a daunting task after their heavy defeat to Pakistan. The minnows will have little time to recover before taking on the tournament favorites.India will be aiming to extend their winning streak and seal the top berth in Group A when they face Nepal. A victory would not only secure their place in the semifinals but also give them a psychological advantage heading into the knockout rounds.

Harmanpreet Kaur: Cricket is Like a 'God' to MeIndian women's cricket team captain Harmanpreet Kaur has expressed her deep love and gratitude for the sport, stating that it has given her everything. Ahead of India's Women's Asia Cup match against Nepal, Kaur shared her thoughts on the impact cricket has had on her life."Cricket, I think, is everything to me," Kaur said. "Without cricket, I do not think I would be anything. The name that cricket has given me, no other field could have given it to me. So I think, for me, cricket is like a god."Kaur recalled the moment she first held the Indian jersey, a moment that filled her with pride and gratitude. "I can say that off-field, when I held the Indian jersey for the first time, I took a photo after wearing it for the first time, and I was just thinking about who deserves this photo first," she said. "Should I send it to my parents, or the coach who gave me this platform, who gave me admission to his school, and said, 'I will start cricket in school for you,' should I send it to him? So I was so confused, who should I send first, because both were equally important to me."On the field, Kaur's most memorable moment came in the 2017 ICC Women's World Cup semifinal against Australia, where she scored a brilliant 171* off 115 balls. "On the field, in 2017, when I scored 171, that was something," she recalled. "I remember before that game, one of my friends told me, 'We will win tomorrow only if you score 150 runs.' I said, '150 runs? I have heard that you will score 100 runs, you will win tomorrow. 150, I mean, what is this demand, right? I will have to score 150 runs to win tomorrow.' So that was stuck in my head for the whole night, and I kept thinking, 'It is the Australian team, so I will have to play something different to beat them,' because they had such a strong team. So I think that was very special for me."Kaur believes that the Indian women's cricket team has made significant progress in recent years, becoming more aggressive and confident on the field. "So we always discuss that if there are two options, we will always choose the aggressive option," she said. "Before, it felt like we were playing timidly. When things did not go according to our plan, we used to get scared very quickly, but now we play a little brave cricket, so we make brave decisions. With time, we have forced people to come to the stadium through our performance."

Pakistan Aims to Secure Runners-Up Spot in Women's Asia Cup Clash with UAEPakistan's women's cricket team faces the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in a crucial match of the Women's Asia Cup 2024, with the aim of securing the runners-up spot in their group. After a disappointing loss to arch-rivals India in their opening match, Pakistan bounced back with a convincing victory over Nepal.UAE, on the other hand, has yet to register a win in the tournament, making them the underdogs in this encounter. However, Pakistan cannot afford to take their opponents lightly, as they will be eager to prove their worth and upset the favorites.The match will be played at the Dambulla International Cricket Stadium in Sri Lanka, and is expected to be a closely contested affair. Pakistan will be relying on their experienced players, including captain Bismah Maroof, Nida Dar, and Javeria Khan, to guide them to victory.UAE will be looking to their young and talented players, such as Chaya Mughal and Esha Oza, to make an impact. The team will also be hoping for a strong performance from their captain, Humaira Tasneem, who has been in good form with the bat.The winner of this match will secure the runners-up spot in Group A, which will give them a chance to qualify for the semi-finals. Pakistan will be determined to finish the group stage on a high note and build momentum for the knockout rounds.

Thailand's Women's Cricket Team, led by their young captain Thipatcha Putthawong, elected to bat first in their crucial Women's Asia Cup match against Bangladesh in Dambulla, Sri Lanka. The decision came after Thailand's impressive victory over Malaysia, where they successfully defended a modest total of 133.Putthawong expressed her confidence in her team's batting lineup, hoping they would continue their strong performance from the previous game. Bangladesh, on the other hand, was desperate for a win after losing their opening match to Sri Lanka. Captain Nigar Sultana also opted to bat first, recognizing the importance of securing a victory.Bangladesh made three significant changes to their lineup, including the inclusion of left-arm spinner Sabikun Nahar Jesmin, who made her international debut. Experienced all-rounder Rumana Ahmed and opener Murshida Khatun also returned to the side. Rubya Haider, Sultana Khatun, and Shorifa Khatun were omitted from the playing XI.Thailand's batting lineup featured Nattaya Boochatham, Nannapat Koncharoenkai, Suwanan Khiaoto, Phannita Maya, Chanida Sutthiruang, Rosenan Kanoh, Thipatcha Putthawong, Suninda Chaturongrattana, Onnicha Kamchomphu, Suleeporn Laomi, and Aphisara Suwanchonrathi.Bangladesh's team consisted of Dilhara Akter, Murshida Khatun, Ishma Tanjim, Nigar Sultana, Ritu Moni, Shorna Akter, Rabeya Khan, Rumana Ahmed, Nahida Akter, Sabikun Nahar Jesmin, and Marufa Akter.The match marked a crucial moment for both teams, with Thailand aiming to strengthen their position in the semi-finals and Bangladesh seeking their first victory of the tournament. The outcome of the match will have a significant impact on the standings and the teams' chances of advancing to the knockout stage.

India Dominates UAE in Asia Cup, Eyes Semifinal BerthDefending champions India continued their impressive run in the Women's Asia Cup, crushing the United Arab Emirates by 104 runs in Dambulla, Sri Lanka. Openers Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana provided a blistering start, amassing 85 runs in just 9.3 overs. Despite losing three wickets in quick succession, India's batters remained relentless.India's dominance was evident in their ruthless pursuit of Pakistan's modest target in their previous match. The Indian batters chased down the total with 35 balls to spare, showcasing their clinical efficiency.Left-arm spinner Radha Yadav, who recently returned to the Indian fold, will be eager to contribute to the wicket-taking tally. India's bowlers, including Deepti Sharma, Renuka Singh, and Pooja Vastrakar, impressed against Pakistan with their economical spells.India's focus will be on refining their tactics against the UAE, rather than dwelling on their opponents' weaknesses. A victory over the Emirates will boost India's points tally to four and improve their Net Run Rate, which currently stands at +2.29.India's supremacy was on full display in their seven-wicket triumph over Pakistan. The UAE faces an uphill battle to overcome Harmanpreet Kaur's formidable side. India's dominance in the tournament has positioned them as strong contenders for a semifinal berth.

Shreyanka Patil, India's promising offspinner, has been ruled out of the ongoing Women's Asia Cup due to a fractured finger. The 21-year-old sustained the injury during India's opening match against Pakistan on Friday.Patil played a crucial role in India's victory, bowling economically and picking up two wickets. However, she was not required to bat as India chased down the target with ease.The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) confirmed Patil's injury in a press release, stating that she had fractured the fourth finger of her left hand. The injury is a significant setback for India, who are aiming to defend their Asia Cup title.Tanuja Kanwar, an uncapped left-arm spinner, has been called up as Patil's replacement. Kanwar, 26, has impressed in domestic cricket and the Women's Premier League (WPL).Patil's absence is a blow to India's bowling attack. She has been a consistent performer for the national team, taking 13 wickets in 12 T20Is. She has also represented India in three ODIs.Kanwar, on the other hand, is a promising young spinner who has made a name for herself in the WPL. She was bought by Gujarat Giants for INR 50 lakh in 2023 and has impressed with her left-arm spin from behind the popping crease.India's next match at the Women's Asia Cup is against the UAE on Sunday. The team will be hoping to bounce back from Patil's injury and continue their quest for the title.

Bangladesh, the only team besides India to have won the Women's Asia Cup, kicked off their campaign against hosts Sri Lanka in Dambulla. Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana opted to bat first after winning the toss, citing favorable batting conditions."The ball is coming on to the bat nicely, and we want to put a score on the board," Sultana said. "We make this tournament equally important as the T20 World Cup."Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu, while not disappointed with the decision to bowl first, acknowledged the good batting surface. "We don't want to take too much pressure, one match at a time," she said.The Dambulla pitch has been conducive to batting in the previous three matches played on it. However, the long square boundaries emphasize the importance of quick running between the wickets.Bangladesh, coming off a 0-5 sweep against India at home, will be eager to break their winless streak in T20Is in 2024. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, has enjoyed a successful year in the format, winning nine of their 12 matches, including a 2-1 series victory over South Africa.Sri Lanka's batting lineup has become more balanced, with Vishmi Gunaratne and Kavisha Dilhari emerging as reliable contributors alongside Athapaththu.

Smriti Mandhana's Heartwarming Gesture for Specially Abled Sri Lankan FanDuring the Women's Asia Cup in Dambulla, Team India star opener Smriti Mandhana brought joy to a specially abled Sri Lankan fan named Adeesha Herath. After India's triumph in their opening match against Pakistan, Mandhana took time out to interact with Herath and presented her with a mobile phone.The heartwarming moment was captured on camera and shared on social media by Sri Lanka Cricket. In the video, Mandhana can be seen posing for photographs with Herath and engaging in a friendly conversation.Mandhana's gesture was met with praise from fans and fellow cricketers alike. It highlighted the importance of inclusivity and the power of sports to bring people together.On the field, India dominated their opening match against Pakistan. After restricting their opponents to a modest 108, India chased down the target with ease, winning by seven wickets with 35 balls to spare.Openers Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana led the charge for India, scoring 40 and 45 runs respectively. The victory sets the stage for India's next match against the United Arab Emirates on July 21.