Explained: How did Indian women's team qualify for Asian Games semi-final despite washout?

While the opening ceremony is scheduled to take place on September 23, 2023, a few events of the XIX Asian Games are already underway. And among the heads is Women's cricket which has begun functions today. Team India led by Smriti Mandhana squared off against Malaysia today in the quarterfinals and advanced to the semi-final without even registering a win. How did it happen is the question that has emerged in hindsight.

3 things you need to know

• Team India Women's cricket team kicked off the Asian Games 2023 campaign
• India squared off against Malaysia 
• India advanced without securing a win

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India took on Malaysia in the quarterfinal of XIX Asian Games

The Women's team has kicked off the Asian Games campaign on a positive note. On Thursday, Team India faced  Malaysia in a rain-effected match. Batting first, Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma gave India a blazing start. Both women scored freely and it became apparent that a huge total would be in the sights. At the score of 57, Mandhana held out, however, Verma and Jemimah Rodrigues continued to score at more than 10 in an over. Rain made its presence felt but it resumed at the cost of 5 overs. After 15 overs India got to the total of 173. 

Only two deliveries were bowled in the Malaysia innings before rain came falling again. This time it took away all the time and eventually the match was called off. However, since it was a match where a result was necessary a bottom line was bound to come. And it did come in the form of Team India qualifying for the Semi-Final. 

NEWS FLASH:

Women's Cricket: India advance into SEMIS of Asian Games
➡️ India's match Vs Malaysia got abandoned due to rain; 🇮🇳 progress because of higher seeding
➡️ India scored 173/2 (15 overs) thanks to quickfire 67 runs off 39 balls by Shafali Verma #IndiaAtAsianGames pic.twitter.com/R0LX5WC6cv

— India_AllSports (@India_AllSports) September 21, 2023

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How India reached the semi-final?

What facet or rule of the game was used to come up with this highlight is a question that is popular among curious minds. Turns out that India is better in the rankings, thus, an edge has been given on this part and therefore an advancement has taken place. This means India are one win away from a podoum finish. But with the stature they have garnered the Women in Blue would not satisfy with anything other than a Gold medal.