Daijiworld Media Network – Dubai

Dubai, Sep 4: India stormed into the Women’s Asia Cup semi-finals with a commanding 137-run victory over Hong Kong at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Thursday.

The seven-time champions remained unbeaten in the tournament and moved to the top of Group A with four points, while the defeat brought Hong Kong’s campaign to an end. India will face Pakistan in their final league match on September 5.

Smriti Mandhana was the star of India’s emphatic win, smashing 124 off just 64 balls as India posted 193 in their 20 overs. The opener dominated the Hong Kong attack, carrying India’s innings through the middle and final stages with a blistering display.

The century took Mandhana’s tally to 18 international hundreds, the most by any player in international cricket. She moved past Laura Wolvaardt and Meg Lanning, who have 17 centuries each. The 30-year-old also surpassed former India captain Mithali Raj to become the leading run-scorer in women’s international cricket.

Mandhana began cautiously as India’s opening partnership with Shafali Verma produced 72 runs. Shafali contributed 28 off 17 balls before being dismissed, while Pratika Rawal scored 10. Richa Ghosh and Harmanpreet Kaur added 11 and 10 respectively.

Mandhana reached her half-century off 39 balls before shifting gears dramatically. She brought up her second T20I century from 57 deliveries and was eventually run out in the final over.

India’s bowlers then completed the rout, bowling Hong Kong out for just 56 in 16.2 overs. Hong Kong managed only 16 runs during the powerplay as India maintained complete control.

Nandani Sharma claimed two wickets for six runs in three overs, while Prema Rawat took two for 12. Deepti Sharma was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets for nine runs, and Shree Charani chipped in with two wickets as India dismantled the Hong Kong batting line-up.