‘Go for gold girls’ – Fans elated as India Women qualify for Asian Games 2023 final, beat Bangladesh by 8 wickets 

India Women’s cricket team qualified for the final of the 2023 Asian Games after thrashing Bangladesh Women by eight wickets in Semi-Final 1 in Hangzhou on Sunday, September 24. The Women in Blue have assured themselves of a gold or silver medal as they are set to face the winners of the Pakistan Women vs. Sri Lanka Women match in Monday’s summit clash.

Opting to bat first, Bangladesh Women got off to a disastrous start as Pooja Vastrakar provided a double strike for India in the very first over. The right-arm pacer sent packing both their openers Shathi Rani and Shamima Sultana for a golden duck. Sobhana Mostary and captain Nigar Sultana then tried to build on the innings for Bangladesh, but Vastrakar did not give the green signal. She claimed her third wicket by removing Mostary in the fifth over.

Vastrakar took the game away from Bangladesh from the very start of the innings. Returning to the attack, the 23-year-old removed Ritu Moni in the 13th over to register a four-wicket haul. She finished with figures of 4 for 17 – her career-best in the shorter format of the game. Titas Sadhu, Amanjot Kaur, Rajeshwari Gayakwad and Devika Vaidya took one wicket each to restrict Bangladesh to 51 runs in 17.5 overs.

 Jemimah Rodrigues led India in run-chase 

Chasing a paltry score, India did not get the kind of start they thought of as skipper Smriti Mandhana departed early on. Her partner Shafali Verma struggled a bit but scored a valuable 17 off 21 balls before getting out in the eighth over. However, Jemimah Rodrigues ensured they wouldn’t mess up the chase. She remained unbeaten on 20 runs off 15 balls and guided India to victory in 8.2 overs.

Earlier, India advanced to the semi-finals of the women’s cricket competition after their quarter-final clash against Malaysia was abandoned due to persistent rain. Meanwhile, India’s men’s cricket team will open their Asian Games 2023 campaign on October 3, where the Ruturaj Gaikwad-led team will face the Group A winners.

Here’s how fans reacted to India Women qualifying for the 2023 Asian Games finals:

https://twitter.com/AmitSha0004/status/1705781616759750967

https://twitter.com/SankotExpress/status/1705781571222221171

Easy for queens

— Finch Academy Of Ducks (@Academyofducks) September 24, 2023

Congratulations to the women's team , win the finals

— saasha (@saasha_00) September 24, 2023

https://twitter.com/TeluguDz/status/1705781458537971833

https://twitter.com/Guri_Pbks/status/1705781414921408951

India Pakistan final loading…

— Malik Dilawar (@MalikDilawar) September 24, 2023

It's a testament to their hard work and dedication. Let's keep cheering for Team India

— Vinita Pangeni (@Wyni16) September 24, 2023

The girls making India proud

— Satya Prakash (@Satya_Prakash08) September 24, 2023