New Delhi [India]: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Tuesday congratulated the Indian Women’s Cricket Team for winning the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier 2017.
Stand-in captain Harmanpreet Kaur lifted India to a thrilling last-ball victory over South Africa in the final of the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier 2017 at the P. Sara Stadium in Colombo.
Set to chase 245, India had all but lost its way after a flurry of wickets but Kaur kept her cool to score the nine runs required off the last over from pace bowler Marcia Letsoala.
With just one wicket in hand and only one run scored off the first four deliveries, India did not have much going for it but Kaur heaved a six over the mid-wicket fence off the penultimate delivery and then a lofted shot towards long on brought the two runs required off the last ball.
Rajeshwari Gayakwad scampered home to complete the double as other Indian players ran on to the ground in celebration of a memorable win.
Having already secured their ICC Women’s World Cup berth courtesy a dominant run in the tournament, India finished on a high, staying unbeaten in the event. It was an all-round show from India as Deepti Sharma topped the run charts while Ekta Bisht finished as the leading wicket-taker in the tournament.
India and South Africa, along with Sri Lanka and Pakistan, have qualified for the ICC Women’s World Cup 2017 in which they will join Australia, England, New Zealand and the West Indies.
The four top teams from the tournament also made the ICC Women’s Championship while the top six – Ireland and Bangladesh being the other two teams – are assured of ODI status for the next four-year cycle. (ANI)