BIRMINGHAM: Indian women’s cricket team reached the Commonwealth Games Twenty20 final after beating England by four runs in their semi-final clash here at Edgbaston on Saturday.

Chasing 165, England looked in control when captain Nat Sciver (41) and wicket-keeper Amy Jones (31) formed a 54-run partnership for the fourth wicket, before Jones was run out in the 17th over and Sciver was run out in the 18th.

Sneh Rana bowled a tight final over, picking up a wicket, to finish with 2-28, while Deepti Sharma took 1-18 as India secured their berth in the gold medal match.

Earlier, opener Smriti Mandhana smashed 61 from 32 balls before Jemimah Rodrigues scored an unbeaten 44 from 31 deliveries to guide India to 164-5 in their 20 overs.

Favourites Australia were facing New Zealand in the second semi-final later on Saturday.

Published in Dawn, August 7th, 2022