ICC Women World T20: India crushes Ireland, storms into semi-finals

Guyana: India continued their winning streak as they thrashed Ireland by 52 runs in their third Group-B match to qualify for the semi-finals at the Women World T20 here at Guyana National Stadium on Thursday.

Riding on veteran Mithali Raj's 51 and Smriti Mandhana's 33 runs knocks, India posted 145 runs in their stipulated 20 overs. In reply, Ireland could score 93/8 in 20 overs, giving India its third consecutive victory in the tournament. 

Ireland, who had already lost their two matches, started cautiously as their openers put 27 runs in 5.1 overs. Gaby Lewis was clean bowled by off-spinner Deepti Sharma, giving India its first breakthrough.

Clare Shillington (23) Isobel Joyce (33) added just 15 runs for the second wicket. Shillington was dismissed by leg-break bowler Poonam Yadav.Captain Laura Delany could not contribute much. She was dismissed by Radha Yadav for nine runs, reducing Ireland to 70/3 runs in 14.5 overs. During the course of the chase, Ireland never managed to maintain the require run rate.

After their captain's dismissal, Ireland kept loosing wickets at regular intervals and even could not score in three digits (93/8).

India registered team hat-trick in this match, as Ireland lost their sixth, seventh and eight wickets in the 19th over- Eimear Richardson got run-out in the form of seventh wicket.

Radha Yadav bagged three wickets, while Deepti Sharma bagged two wickets.

Earlier in the day, Ireland won the toss and chose to bowl.

Mithali Raj and Smriti Mandhana added 67 runs for the opening stand in 10 overs.Teenager Jemimah Rodrigues also batted well, scoring 18 runs off just 11 balls with three fours.

Captain Harmanpreet Kaur (7) failed to score much, she could hit one six.In the end of the Indian innings, Deepti Sharma (11 not out) helped India to put up 145 runs on the board.

Kim Garth bagged two wickets while conceded just 22 runs in four overs.Mithali Raj was named Player of the Match for her half-century.India qualify for the semi-finals. Ireland, Pakistan and New Zealand are eliminated.(UNI)