Women's T20 World Cup: India beat Ireland to seal semis spot

Smriti Mandhana's career-best knock fashions 5-run win over Ireland via DLS method; Australia up next

In the third over, Smriti Mandhana stepped out and dispatched Ireland pacer Orla Prendergast's length delivery through cover point for her first boundary. It was the beginning of the Indian opener's domination over the Irish bowlers. For the next 75 minutes at the windswept St. George's Park in Gqeberha, the southpaw entertained with her career-best 87 (56b; 9x4; 3x6).

In their final league encounter at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup on Monday, India walked away with a five-run victory by the DLS method. Chasing India's 155/6, Ireland were 54/2 in 8.2 overs when rain halted play and no further play was possible. India are now placed second on the points table with six points behind England, who play Pakistan on Tuesday in the last Group 2 engagement. In the semifinals, India will be up against Group 1 toppers and defending champions Australia.

1/10:Smriti Mandhana guides India into T20 World Cup semi-finals

PTI

2/10:​Smriti Mandhana

<p>Smriti Mandhana hit a career-best 87 as India beat Ireland in a rain-affected match to book a semi-final meeting with Australia in the Women's T20 World Cup semi-finals. </p>PTI

3/10:India beat Ireland

<p>Replying to India's imposing 155/6, Ireland were 54/2 when rain ended play, handing India a rain-adjusted five-run win.</p>AFP

4/10:Dropped four times

<p>Mandhana was dropped four times in the outfield during a 56-ball innings which included nine fours and three sixes. </p>ANI

5/10:​Shafali Verma

<p>Shafali Verma made 24 and helped Mandhana put on 62 for the first wicket but both batters struggled to time the ball.</p>AFP

6/10:40-ball 50

<p>Mandhana hit with authority after reaching her second successive half-century off 40 balls.</p>AFP

7/10:Harmanpreet Kaur

<p>India captain Harmanpreet Kaur (13), playing in her 150th T20I, became the fourth player to reach 3000 runs in the format. </p>AFP

8/10:Amy Hunter

<p>Ireland made a disastrous start when Amy Hunter was run out off the first ball of the innings, attempting a second run after hitting the ball to mid-wicket. </p>AFP

9/10:Gaby Lewis

<p>With rain threatening, Gaby Lewis (32*) and Delany (17*) raised the possibility of an upset win if they went past the adjusted par total. </p>AFP

10/10:Rain plays spoilsport

<p>But when the rain became heavier, play was halted and eventually called off. </p>ANI

Smriti Mandhana guides India into T20 World Cup semi-finals

India may have sealed the last-four place all right but they were probed by the Irish bowlers. The fact that there were 41 dot balls in their innings sums up their batting despair.

While Smriti — who rode on her luck after being put down on four occasions — was at ease in testing conditions, the rest of the batters struggled to connect and their timing was flawed. With gusty wind blowing for the better part of the match before rain hit the proceedings, Smriti and Shafali Verma (24; 29b; 3x4)got India off to a good start with their 62-run opening stand. Shafali, lacking in fluency, was happy rotating the strike. After surviving a couple of close calls, the youngster eyed the deep square leg for a big one. But she fell short and a diving Amy Hunter held on to the catch.

Ironically, on a day when Smriti punished them for the dropped catches, the Irish, Gaby Lewis in particular, held on to some good catches. Dropped on 46, the 26-year-old brought up her 22nd T20I half-century with a maximum over deep midwicket, a slog-sweep off Cara Murray. While the 50 came off 40 deliveries, Smriti switched gears thereafter and upped the ante. Laura Delany (3/33), who conceded 10 runs in her first two overs, was taken apart by Smriti, who struck two sixes off the medium pacer.

Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur again failed, falling to a mistimed slog.

Brief scores: India 155/6 (Mandhana 87, Delany 3-33) beat Ireland 54/2 (Lewis 32*, Renuka 1-10) by 5 runs via DLS method

1/8:Harmanpreet Kaur creates twin records in T20Is

2/8:Harmanpreet's milestone

<p>Indian women's cricket team skipper Harmanpreet Kaur created a record of playing the most number of T20Is.<br /><br /></p>AFP

3/8:Harmanpreet's 150th appearance

<p>Harmanpreet achieved the feat when she led her team in the Women's T20 World Cup match against Ireland on Monday at St George's Park in Gqeberha. <br /><br /></p>AP

4/8:First ever cricketer

<p>The 33-year-old Harmanpreet became the first cricketer ever (men or women) to get to the milestone of 150 matches in the shortest format of the game.<br /><br /></p>AFP

5/8: 'It means a lot'

<p>"It (playing 150 T20I games) means a lot, I got an emotional message from my team-mates. Thanks to BCCI and ICC, we are able to play so many games," Harmanpreet said.<br /><br /></p>Getty Images

6/8:Another first for Harmanpreet

<p>Harmanpreet also went on to become the first Indian to complete 3000 runs and fourth overall in women's cricket.<br /><br /></p>Getty Images

7/8:Suzie Bates behind Harmanpreet

<p>New Zealand's Suzie Bates is second on the list with 143 appearances to her name so far while Danni Wyatt represented England in 141 T20Is.<br /><br /><br /></p>AFP

8/8:Rohit leads men's chart

<p>Indian skipper Rohit Sharma sits atop the list in men's T20Is with 148 T20Is followed by Pakistan's Shoaib Malik (124) and New Zealand's Martin Guptill (122).<br /></p>Getty Images

Harmanpreet Kaur creates twin records in T20Is