Despite their matches in Hangzhou being postponed, the women’s cricket teams from India and Pakistan both advanced to the semifinals of the Asian Games on Thursday.
In the Twenty20 match versus Malaysia, India batted first and amassed 173-2 in their 15 overs despite being delayed by rain.
The play was called off with no conclusion after Malaysia faced just two balls and responded with a score of 1-0.
India advanced to the semi-final because they were ranked higher globally.
The Zhejiang University of Technology Pingfeng Cricket Field’s covers remained on throughout Pakistan’s match versus Indonesia, and as a result, no balls were bowled in that match.
India will compete in the final against the winner of Friday’s quarterfinal between Bangladesh and Hong Kong. In the last four, Pakistan will either play Sri Lanka or Thailand.
Malaysia was given the runaround in the field before to the washout as Jemimah Jessica Rodrigues struck an unbeaten 47 off 29 balls for India and star batter Shafali Verma hammered 67 off just 39 with five sixes and four fours.
“The partnerships we had with everyone ticked off at the right time,” said Rodrigues.
“It gives us a lot of confidence. And we take it from here into the semi- finals. So it’s a big, big plus point for us.”
Malaysia coach Thusara Kodikara said it was a shame that his batters did not get the chance to test themselves against India’s bowling attack.
“We are very disappointed because we wanted to play and give our best in this tournament,” said the Sri Lankan-born coach.
“We are here to learn a lot of things from this kind of team (but) we can’t do anything because of the rain. It was out of our control.”
In Guangzhou (2010) and Incheon (2014), when women’s cricket was played at the Asian Games, Pakistan won both gold medals. Five years ago, the Jakarta Asiad did not feature the sport.
