India keeps clean slate in Women’s T20 World Cup

Opting to bat, Sri Lanka was restricted to a modest 113 for nine in their final Group A match with left-arm spinner Radha (4/23) running through the rivals’ batting line-up, including claiming the prized scalp of skipper Chamari Atapattu.

Shafali, then, top-scored as India chased down the target in just 14.4 overs. The win meant India entered the semifinals with an all-win record. This was India’s fourth successive victory in the tournament as the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side consolidated their position on top of the group with eight points.

The 16-year-old Shafali, who was dropped twice in the second and fourth over, hit seven fours and a six in her knock but was unable to reach her maiden fifty for the second time in the tournament, getting run-out inthe 11th over.

She had scored 46 against New Zealand in her previous outing. Kaur and opener Smriti Mandhana again squandered their good starts, departing for 15 and 17, respectively.

For Sri Lanka, Udeshika Prabodhani (1/13) and Shashikala Siriwardene (1/42)picked up a wicket each, before the duo of Jemimah Rodrigues (15) and Deepti Sharma (15)sealed the victory.

Earlier, Sri Lanka was dealt a blow when opener Umesha Thimashini (2) tried to go for a big shot off a Deepti Sharma delivery, only to be caught by Rajeshwari Gayakwad inthe third over.

Skipper Atapattu (33) continued to attack, hitting five fours and a six, and added 30 runs with Harshitha Madavi (12).

However, left-arm spinner Gayakwad tightened the screws in the eighth over, bowling a wicket maiden whiledismissing Madavi.

The introduction of Radha in the ninth over worked as immediately after hitting a six over deep wicket, Atapatttu was caught at square leg.

Brief scores: Sri Lanka 113/9 in 20 overs (C Atapattu 33, R Yadav 4/23, R Gayakwad 2/18) lost to India 116/3 in 14.4 overs (S Verma 47)