Photo: BCCIWomen - X
Dambulla: In the women's Asia Cup final group match, India defeated Nepal by a commanding 82 runs to guarantee their place in the semifinals. Shafali Verma, the daring opener, struck 81 off 48 to lead India to 178 for 3.
To set the foundation for the score, Shafali and fellow opener Dayalan Hemalatha (47 off 42 balls) shared 122 runs in the opening stand.
Jemimah Rodrigues also chipped in, remaining unbeaten on 28.
Smriti Mandhala led the side on Tuesday in place of regular skipper Harmanpreet Kaur who was rested.
For Nepal, Sita Rana Magar picked up two wickets.
India then restricted Nepal to 96 for nine with experienced Deepti Sharma shining bright with the bowl with figures of 3/13.
Radha Yadav (2/12) and Arundhati Reddy (2/18) scalped two wickets apiece.
Brief Scores: India Women: 178 for 3 in 20 overs (Shafali Verma 81; Sita Rana Magar 2/25).
Nepal Women: 96 for 9 in 20 overs (Sita Rana Magar 18; Deepti Sharma 3/13).
With PTI inputs