Senior India bowlers Tanuja Kanwar and Minnu Mani delivered a commanding performance as India A thrashed Nepal by seven wickets to book their semifinal berth in the Women's Asia Cup Rising Stars on Tuesday.
Left-arm spinner Kanwar ripped through the Nepal batting order with superb figures of 4/12, while Mani returned 3/8 in a clinical display of spin bowling. Nepal were bundled out for just 78 in 18 overs, unable to recover after a promising start.
In reply, India A made light work of the modest target. Dinesh Vrinda smashed an unbeaten 39 off just 18 balls, peppering the boundary with nine fours, as India chased down 79 in only 7.5 overs, losing three wickets in the process.
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The emphatic victory took India A to the top of Group A with four points and a healthy net run rate of +3.042. The second semifinal spot from the group will be determined after UAE face Pakistan A later in the day. UAE currently have four points, but a Pakistan win would see both teams level, leaving net run rate to decide the qualifier. A UAE victory would push them to six points and send India to second place.
Earlier, Nepal showed brief resistance through Bindu Rawal (11) and Samjhana Khadka (28), helping the side reach 56 for 3 in 10 overs. However, a dramatic collapse followed as they slumped to 65 for 9 by the 16th over. Radha Yadav chipped in with 2/17 to compound Nepal’s misery.
India’s all-round dominance ensured a comfortable finish and a spot in the semifinals.
Brief scores:
Nepal 78 all out in 18 overs (Minnu Mani 3/8, Tanuja Kanwar 4/12, Radha Yadav 2/17) lost to India A 82/3 in 7.5 overs (Dinesh Vrinda 39*).
