Saturday Dec 14, 2024
Saturday Dec 14, 2024
Tuesday, 14 February 2017 00:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
All six sides with One-Day International status at the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier 2017 have retained their grade for the next four-year cycle by qualifying for the Super Six stage in Colombo on Monday.
There were no surprises in store as India, Sri Lanka and Ireland advanced from Group A, while South Africa, Pakistan and Bangladesh made it from Group B as the last round of preliminary league matches were completed.
On the day of league matches, India defeated Zimbabwe by nine wickets, South Africa pipped Papua New Guinea by 10 wickets, Pakistan overpowered Scotland by six wickets and host Sri Lanka outsmarted Thailand by seven wickets. Thailand scored 122-8 in 50 overs (Nattaya Boochatham 50; Eshani Lokusuriyage 2-15, Inoka Ranaweera 2-19, Sripali Weerakkody 2-22. Sri Lanka replied with Sri Lanka 123-3 in 34.4 overs (Chamari Polgampola 49, Nipuni Hansika 38).
The teams to have qualified carry points gained against other sides that have advanced from their group.
This means that India and South Africa not only topped the standings but also have the cushion of four points as they won all their league matches. Sri Lanka and Pakistan crossed-over with two points each, while Ireland and Bangladesh advanced without any points since they beat sides that did not qualify.
In the Super Six stage, sides will play qualifiers from the other group, with the top four at the end of this stage qualifying for the ICC Women’s World Cup 2017 as well as the ICC Women’s Championship.
The draw for the next round pits India and South Africa against each other on the opening day of the Super Six stage on 15 February, while India and Pakistan are drawn to play on 19 February in what will be the two most high-profile matches. Both these matches will be played at broadcast venue P. Sara Stadium and will be among the matches to be live-streamed on icc-cricket.com.
In the feature match of Monday, India’s leg-spinner Poonam Yadav ripped through the batting as Zimbabwe folded up for a meagre 60 in 28.5 overs after electing to bat. Opener Veda Krishnamurthy (29) and Mona Meshram (21 not out) then made short work of the chase as India got to the target in only nine overs.
Super Six schedule:
15 February: South Africa v India (P. Sara Stadium), Sri Lanka v Pakistan (Nondescripts Cricket Club), Bangladesh v Ireland (Colombo Cricket Club).
17 February: Sri Lanka v South Africa (P. Sara Stadium), India v Bangladesh (Nondescripts Cricket Club), Ireland v Pakistan (Colombo Cricket Club).
19 February: India v Pakistan (P. Sara Stadium), Sri Lanka v Bangladesh (Nondescripts Cricket Club), South Africa v Ireland (Colombo Cricket Club).
