Defending champions India thrashed Japan by eight wickets to enter the semifinals of women’s cricket at the Asian Games here on Friday.
India bowled out Japan for 57 in 19.5 overs after opting to bowl.
Opener Ayaka Kato-Stafford was the top-scorer for Japan with a 47-ball 25, while Shree Charani (4/10) and Shafali Verma (2/13) shared six wickets between them for India.
Chasing a paltry 58, India lost opener Gunalan Kamalini and Bharti Fulmali early but Shafali Verma (40 not out) and Richa Ghosh (12 not out) ensured the comfortable win in just 5 overs.
For Japan, Nonoha Yasumoto (1/8) and Kato-Stafford (1/14) picked up the wickets.
Brief scores: Japan: 57 all out in 19.5 overs (Ayaka Kato-Stafford 25, Sree Charani 4/10, Shafali Verma 2/13).
India. 59 for 2 in 5 overs (Shafali Verma 40 not out; Nonoha Yasumoto 1/8).