The Asian Games 2023 women’s T20 tournament saw unexpected developments as rain forced the abandonment of both quarter-final matches, propelling arch-rivals India and Pakistan into the semi-finals on account of their higher seeding. While Pakistan’s clash with Indonesia never got underway, India showcased their dominance against Malaysia before the rain curtailed the proceedings.
Quarters marred by rain
In the first scheduled quarter-final, India faced off against Malaysia, while Pakistan were set to take on Indonesia in the second encounter. Unfortunately, the anticipated clashes were marred by relentless rain in Hangzhou, which left both teams without an opportunity to take the field.
India’s dominant display
Amidst the gloomy weather, India’s Women in Blue managed to flex their cricketing muscles in their quarter-final encounter against Malaysia. Due to the persistent downpour, the match was reduced to a 15-overs-a-side contest. India, having been asked to bat first, made the most of the truncated game.
Shafali Verma, the young batting sensation, led the charge with a blistering 39-ball 67, featuring four boundaries and five towering sixes. Her aggressive strokeplay set the tone for India’s innings, leaving the Malaysian bowlers grappling for answers.
Jemimah Rodrigues added to India’s firepower with a crucial unbeaten knock of 47 runs. Their partnership allowed India to post a formidable total of 173/2 in their allotted 15 overs, despite the challenging conditions.
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Rain interrupts Malaysia’s chase
As Malaysia prepared to embark on a steep chase, rain intervened just two balls into their innings. The showers persisted, leaving the outfield soggy and unplayable. Ultimately, the umpires were left with no choice but to call off the match.
The abandonment led to a sense of disappointment among the Malaysian players, who were eager to challenge India’s formidable total. However, the weather remained unrelenting, ending their Asian Games campaign prematurely.
As the Asian Games 2023 women’s cricket tournament progresses, the focus now shifts to the semi-finals, where India and Pakistan will aim to continue their quest for gold in an event marked by unpredictable weather challenges.
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This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
