POTCHEFSTROOM: Indian bowlers restricted New Zealand to a measly 107/9 before Shweta Sehrawat powered her side to a thumping eight-wicket victory and into the final of the ongoing ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup.
Put into bat first, the New Zealand batting lineup endured a ruthless attack by the Indian bowlers and could raise 107/9 in their allotted 20 overs despite a fighting 35-run knock by Georgia Plimmer.
The White Ferns had an unwanted start to their innings as the side lost both their openers Anna Browning (1) and Emma McLeod (2) for a combined total of a mere five runs in the third over.
Following the slump, Plimmer stitched a gritty 37-run partnership with Isabella Gaze before the latter perished after a vital 22-ball 26.
New Zealand then began to lose wickets at an alarming rate and soon slipped to 91/7 with Plimmer also walking back in the 17th over.
The right-handed batter top-scored with 35 off 32 deliveries and smashed two boundaries.
Parshavi Chopra led the bowling attack for India with 3/20, while Titas Sadhu, Mannat Kashyap, Shafali Verma and Archana Devi struck out a batter each.
Set to chase 108, India comfortably sailed over in the 15th over with eight wickets to spare.
Opening batter Sehrawat led the charge for India in the pursuit with a magnificent half-century and stitched two vital partnerships with skipper Verma (10) and Soumya Tiwari(22).
Sehrawat remained unbeaten with 61 off just 45 balls, hitting 10 boundaries and steering her side to glory.
For New Zealand, Browning could bag two wickets.
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