India’s women into World T20 semis

GROS ISLET, SAINT LUCIA: India are through to the semi-finals of the women’s World Twenty20 and will face Australia in the last four on Thursday.

Meanwhile New Zealand, last year’s losing finalists, will be up against hosts West Indies in the second semifinal on Friday after champions England failed to reach the knockout stages. India advanced after a crushing 71-run victory over Sri Lanka on Monday. Batting first, they made 144 for three, with Sulakshana Naik (59) and Mithali Raj (52) both scoring fifties.

Off-spinner Diana David then led the Indian attack with four wickets for 12 runs as Sri Lanka were held to 71 for nine from their 20 overs at Warner Park. Earlier, New Zealand pace bowler Nicola Brown took four wickets for just 15 runs as Pakistan managed a meagre 65 for nine. Only three Pakistanis made it into double figures, Nain Abidi (11), Urooj Mumtaz (14) and Sania Khan (15).

“We didn’t perform at all well in this tournament, said Pakistan captain Sana Mir.”The only time we did well as a side was during the warm-up fixtures and this was not good enough for a world tournament.

Published in the Express Tribune, May 12th, 2010.