New Delhi: India Women delivered a commanding performance to beat Japan by 8 wickets and qualify for the semifinals at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin on Friday, September 18. Shree Charani picked up 4 wickets, while Shafali Verma took two, as Japan bowled out for just 57 runs in 19.5 overs.
Chasing the target, the Women in Blue got off to a poor start as Nonoha Yasumoto dismissed Gunalan Kamalini for a duck, while Bharti Fulmali was removed by Ayaka Stafford for 6. continued her brilliant form, hitting four boundaries in the opening over.
She lost a couple of partners along the way, but Richa Ghosh, who was promoted to No. 4, stitched an unbeaten 35-run partnership for the third wicket as India chased down the target in 5 overs. Shafali scored an unbeaten 40 off 15 balls with the help of 6 boundaries and two maximums, while Richa amassed an unbeaten 12 off 6 deliveries.
Wins with most balls remaining in Women’s T20Is (for FM teams)
108 – Zimbabwe Women vs Eswatini Women, Gaborone, 2021
104 – Ireland Women vs France Women, La Manga, 2021
98 – Zimbabwe Women vs Nigeria Women, Harare, 2019
90 – India Women vs Japan Women, Nisshin, 2026
87 – England Women vs West Indies Women, Bridgetown, 2022
Japan 57/10 in 19.5 overs
Earlier, India won the toss and asked Japan to bat first. The hosts got off to a good start, reaching 24/0 in the powerplay. Their openers started well against the in-form Indian bowling attack, but Iwasaki got out for 10 while trying to play a big shot.
Kato-Stafford then anchored the innings with a 47-ball 25 but wickets continued to tumble at the other end. Apart from the two openers, none of the Japanese batters managed to cross the 10-run mark and bundled out for 57.
Sri Lanka advance to Asian Games semifinal
Sri Lanka also qualified for the semifinal of the Women’s cricket competition at the Asian Games 2026 after an 86-run victory over Malaysia in the third quarterfinal at Korogi Sports Park, Nisshin. Both Chamari Athapaththu and Kavisha Dilhari delivered all-round performances, scoring 63 and an unbeaten 44, respectively, before taking two wickets each.