Charani and Shafali Power India Past Japan into Asian Games Semi-Finals

Defending champions India stormed into the semi-finals of the women’s cricket competition at the Asian Games with a commanding eight-wicket victory over hosts Japan on Friday.

After bowling Japan out for just 57 in 19.5 overs, India chased down the modest target of 58 in only five overs to seal a place in the last four. India will face Bangladesh in the semi-final on September 20.

Charani Leads India’s Bowling Attack

India opted to field first and quickly made the most of a pitch that offered turn and bounce, making it difficult for Japan’s batters to play attacking strokes.

Left-arm spinner Shree Charani was once again the standout performer with the ball, claiming 4 for 10 from her four overs. The performance came shortly after her four-wicket haul in the Women’s T20 Asia Cup final, continuing an impressive run of form.

Japan made a promising start as Haruna Iwasaki and Ayaka Kato-Stafford added 24 runs for the opening wicket. However, the hosts struggled to build partnerships after Iwasaki’s dismissal.

Charani struck twice in consecutive deliveries in the seventh over, removing Iwasaki for 10 before having Japan captain Mai Yanagida caught behind for a duck. She narrowly missed out on a hat-trick.

Kato-Stafford top-scored for Japan with a patient 25 off 47 balls, while Iwasaki contributed 10 from 22 deliveries. Japan lost their final eight wickets for just 33 runs.

Shafali Verma claimed 2 for 13, while Deepti Sharma took 1 for 14. Shreyanka Patil, returning to international cricket after a three-month injury layoff, picked up 1 for 8 in 3.5 overs.

Patil completed Japan's innings by bowling Nonoha Yasumoto for a duck.

Shafali Finishes the Chase in Style

India's chase was never in serious danger, thanks largely to an explosive start from Shafali Verma.

Opening the innings, Shafali smashed four boundaries in the first over to immediately put Japan under pressure. G Kamalini, who replaced Smriti Mandhana at the top of the order, was dismissed by left-arm seamer Yasumoto, while No. 3 Bharti Fulmali was caught at point.

Yasumoto also produced a wicket-maiden with the new ball, but Japan had little answer to Shafali's aggressive strokeplay.

The India opener finished unbeaten on 40 from just 15 balls, striking six fours and two sixes at a remarkable strike rate of 266.66.

Shafali sealed the emphatic victory with a six over long-on, as India reached 59 for 2 in just five overs, winning with 15 overs to spare.

With Charani leading the bowling attack and Shafali providing the fireworks in the chase, India delivered a dominant all-round performance to continue their title defence and book their place in the Asian Games semi-finals.