Mandhana’s career-best 87 leads India into T20 World Cup semifinals

Smriti Mandhana hit a career-best 87 as India beat Ireland in a rain-affected match in Gqeberha on Monday to ebook a semifinal assembly with Australia within the Women’s T20 World Cup semi-finals.

Replying to India’s imposing 155 for six, Ireland 54 for 2 when rain ended play, handing India a rain-adjusted five-run win.

A powerful, swirling wind made circumstances troublesome and Mandhana was dropped 4 occasions within the outfield throughout a 56-ball innings which included 9 fours and three sixes.

Shafali Verma made 24 and helped Mandhana placed on 62 for the primary wicket however each batters struggled to time the ball, though the left-handed Mandhana hit with authority after reaching her second successive half-century off 40 balls.

Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur, taking part in in her a hundred and fiftieth T20 worldwide, grew to become the fourth participant to succeed in 3000 runs within the format but in addition lacked fluency earlier than being dismissed for 13 off 20 balls.

While different bowlers suffered due to dropped adjustments, Ireland captain Laura Delany benefitted from three good catches within the deep to take three for 33.

One of the catches was held by a diving Orla Prendergast, who additionally bowled impressively to take two for 22.

Ireland made a disastrous begin when Amy Hunter was run out off the primary ball of the innings, trying a second run after hitting the ball to midwicket.

Four balls later Prendergast was bowled by Renuka Thakur with out scoring.

But Gaby Lewis (32 not out) and Delany (17 not out) shared a spirited unbeaten partnership of 53.

With rain threatening, they went for his or her photographs, elevating the potential of an upset win in the event that they went previous the adjusted par complete.

But when the rain grew to become heavier, play was halted and ultimately referred to as off.

India completed the group stage with three wins from 4 matches and can face Australia within the semifinals in Cape Town on Thursday.

Ireland, let down throughout the event by some detached fielding, misplaced all its matches.

England, which performs Pakistan in Cape Town on Tuesday, has additionally certified for the semifinals and can end high of the group if it wins.

Brief scores:

India 155-6 in 20 overs (S. Mandhana 87; O. Prendergast 2-22, L. Delany 3-33)

Ireland 54-2 in 8.3 overs (G. Lewis 32 not out)

Result: India gained by 5 runs (Duckworth/Lewis methodology)