India defeated Bangladesh to advance to the semifinals of the Women’s T20 World Cup | Cricket

Shafali Verma’s century helps 50-plus internationals achieve their goals within 17 overs at Old Trafford.

India defeated Bangladesh by five wickets in Manchester to strengthen their hopes of entering the semifinals of the Women’s T20 World Cup.

Chasing a modest target of 137 at Old Trafford, opener Shafali Verma hit 53 off 34 balls as India reached their target within 17 overs on Thursday.

South Africa, meanwhile, got their first T20 century from Tazmin Brits to beat the Netherlands by 88 runs.

That means India and South Africa now enter the second semi-final shootout behind unbeaten Group A leaders Australia.

They have six points in total, two behind the Australians and two ahead of Bangladesh, who still have a slim mathematical chance of reaching the knockout stages, with their final game against South Africa at Lord’s on Sunday.

India have the better pace but face a huge task to topple Australia in their match on Sunday, also at Lord’s.

The Indians will need to improve their game against six-match champions Australia after dropping four wickets on Thursday, although Bangladesh were too weak to capitalize as they slumped to 136-8.

Spin also provided most of the scoring for India, with Radha Yadav taking 3-28 and Shree Charani 2-21.

South Africa were never in danger as the Brits and Laura Wolvaardt put on 121 for the first wicket.

After Wolvaardt departed for 45, the Brits continued to bowl the Dutch with Annerie Dercksen, who made 37 not out off 16 balls.

The Brits finished with 114 not out from 69 balls with 15 fours and three sixes as South Africa finished on 208-1.

The Dutch got off to a good start as opening batsmen Phebe Molkenboer (41) and Sanya Khurana (36) added 58 in the first innings. Sterre Kalis kept going with the ball at 28-26, but after that three went, the innings folded.

Medium Ayabonga Khaka was the best of the bowlers with 3-19 while left-arm spinner Chloe Tryon took 2-16 from her four overs.