GUANGZHOU: Pakistan reached the Asian Games women’s cricket semi-finals on Monday with a nine-wicket rout of China which left the hosts needing to win their last group game to stay alive.
China, who had opened their campaign with a 55-run win over Malaysia, were restricted to just 60-4 when they batted first on Monday with Pakistan cruising to victory in the 13th over. Huang Zhou and Zhang Mei, with 14 runs each, were China’s top scorers against a tight, well-disciplined Pakistan attack.
Javeria Wadood (27 not out) and Nida Rashid (27) put on 60 for the first wicket for Pakistan with Wadood hitting her fourth boundary to bring up victory. Pakistan bowler Asmavia Khokhar praised her team’s fielding which put a brake on the Chinese hopes of setting a big total to chase.
“We protected the boundaries well so they couldn’t get too many fours,” she said. “They had to settle for just ones and twos.”
Pakistan now have two wins in two matches in Group A following their eight-wicket victory over Thailand. Bangladesh made sure of top spot in Group B, and also a place in the last four, with a 54-run win over Japan.
