India women crush Thailand by 74 runs

SYLHET, Oct 13: A dominant India crushed minnows Thailand by 74 runs to storm into the final and remain on course for a record-extending seventh women’s Asia Cup title here on Thursday.
The win over Thailand took India to their eighth straight Asia Cup final . Before 2012, the tournament was a 50-over-a-side affair.
India posted 148/6 after being sent in to bat and then restricted Thailand to 74 for 9 in the lop-sided contest.
Chasing the target, Thailand were never in the hunt as they lost wickets at regular intervals. Deepti Sharma (3/7) did most of the damage with her off-spin, picking up the first three Thai wickets — Nannapat Koncharoenkai, Natthakan Chantham and Sornnarin Tippoch — in consecutive overs.
Medium pacer Renuka Singh (1/6) then cleaned Chanida Sutthiruang as Thailand’s chase fell apart.
Earlier, invited to bat, Shafali Verma was at her destructive best, top-scoring for India with a 28-ball 42. Together with vice-captain Smriti Mandhana, Verma shared 38 runs in 4.3 overs before the former hit a low full toss from Phannita Maya to Onnicha Kamchomphu at mid on.
India play Sri Lanka in the final on Saturday. Sri Lanka eked out a one-run win over Pakistan in the second semifinal. (PTI)