Asian Games: Charani, Shafali help India beat Japan, to face Bangladesh in semis

India, the defending champions, edged past Japan in the fourth quarter-final of the women's cricket competition at the Asian Games in Nisshin on Friday. The match saw India chase down a target of 58 in just five overs, securing their spot in the semi-finals with an eight-wicket victory. Japan, while not exiting the competition empty-handed, were bowled out for a modest 57 in 19.5 overs after a solid start.

The performance of Shree Charani and Shafali Verma was crucial for India's success. Charani, who recently took 4 for 20 in the Women’s T20 Asia Cup final, struck twice off consecutive balls in the seventh over, removing Haruna Iwasaki for 10 and Mai Yanagida for a duck. Verma contributed with 2 for 13, while Deepti Sharma added 1 for 14.

Shafali Verma, opening the innings aggressively, smashed four boundaries in the first over, immediately putting Japan under pressure. Despite Japan's best efforts, the team struggled to build partnerships once Iwasaki and Ayaka Kato Stafford's opening partnership was broken. Japan lost their last eight wickets for just 33 runs. Japan's innings ended when Patil bowled Nonoha Yasumoto for a duck.

The match highlights India's strong performance, particularly in the power-hitting department, with Shafali Verma excelling with a strike rate of 266.66.