By Shikha Sreenivas
The Indian women’s cricket team has qualified for the ICC Women’s World Cup 2017 after their nine-wicket victory over Bangladesh during the qualifiers. An unbroken 136-run stand between captain Mithali Raj (73) and Mona Meshram (78) boosted their chances of winning. The win now assures India a spot in the Women’s World Cup.
Meshram, who received the player-of-the-match award, says that Mithali’s experience helps when you are batting with her. “The pressure is released when she plays her shots.”
On Wednesday, against South Africa, the 34-year-old captain became the second female cricketer to score 5,500 runs in an ODI, by scoring 64 off 85 balls, with 10 fours.
India, along with South Africa, are amongst the teams that will head to England in June 2017, for the big event. Bangladesh has to beat Sri Lanka in their last game to qualify for the World Cup. The top four of the Super Six qualify for the Women’s World Cup.
Now, the Indian team, which is so far unbeaten in the Super Six tournament, will play Pakistan in the final Super Six match on February 19th.
India currently ranks fourth in the ICC Women’s Ranking. In the past, the Indian team won their first Asia Cup in 2004 with 3 more wins subsequently. They reached the World Cup finals in 2005, but lost to Australia.