India Women beat Japan Women by eight wickets with 90 balls remaining in the Asian Games Women’s Cricket Competition quarter-final, with Shafali Verma’s 40 powering a five-over chase of 59 for 2 after Japan were dismissed for 57. The emphatic result decided the fourth quarter-final and kept the listed T20 series standing level at 0-0.

Japan bowled out for 57

Japan Women were dismissed for 57 in 19.5 overs, with Ayaka Kato-Stafford supplying the resistance through her 25. Haruna Iwasaki made 10 and Erika Oda contributed 5, but India maintained control through the innings and ensured there was no substantial partnership to lift the total.

The supplied bowling card featured K Gaud’s 0 for 4 from two overs, NSS Sharma’s 0 for 6 from two, N Shree Charani’s 2 for 9 from three, SR Patil’s 0 for 6 from 2.3 overs, DB Sharma’s 1 for 11 from three and Shafali Verma’s 1 for 9 from three. Charani was also listed among India’s leading wicket-takers in the match.

Verma makes the chase a sprint

India needed only five overs to reach 59 for 2. Verma dominated the reply with 40 runs, while Richa Ghosh added 12 and Bharti Fulmali made 6. Japan’s wickets came through Nonoha Yasumoto and Kato-Stafford, who took one apiece, but the target was far too modest to create sustained pressure.

India’s 90 balls remaining underlined the scale of the victory: they completed the chase with three-quarters of their allotted innings unused. It was a commanding quarter-final performance built first on control with the ball and then on Verma’s rapid contribution at the top of the chase.

Key performers

  • Shafali Verma, India Women: 40 runs in India’s 59 for 2.
  • Ayaka Kato-Stafford, Japan Women: 25 runs in Japan’s total of 57.
  • Haruna Iwasaki, Japan Women: 10 runs.
  • N Shree Charani, India Women: 2 for 9 from 3 overs on the supplied bowling card.
  • DB Sharma, India Women: 1 for 11 from 3 overs.
  • Nonoha Yasumoto, Japan Women: 1 wicket in India’s chase.

NerdSports Stat: Shafali Verma’s 40 accounted for 67.8% of India’s 59 runs, making her contribution more than two-thirds of the successful chase.

Quarter-final picture

The competition’s earlier quarter-finals saw the first match abandoned without a ball bowled, Pakistan Women beat their opponents by three wickets with two balls remaining, and Sri Lanka Women won by 86 runs. India’s victory completed the fourth quarter-final on Thursday.

Two T20 matches are scheduled for Saturday, September 19, followed by two more T20 fixtures on Monday, September 21.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who won the match between Japan Women and India Women?

India Women won the match by 8 wickets with 90 balls remaining.

Who was the Player of the Match?

Shafali Verma led India’s successful chase with 40 runs.

What is the series standing after this match?

The listed T20 series standing remains level at 0-0, while India Women have won this quarter-final.

Who was the top scorer in this match?

Shafali Verma top-scored with 40 runs.

When is the next match in the series?

The next T20 fixtures are scheduled for Saturday, September 19, with both match-ups yet to be confirmed.