Delhi cruise to semifinals of Senior Women's One Day Trophy

New Delhi: The Delhi women's cricket team advanced to the semifinals of the Senior Women One-Day Trophy after they defeated Maharashtra by 56 runs in the quarterfinal in Mohali on Sunday.

Opener and wicketkeeper Pragya Rawat scored 107 off 130 balls and Tanisha Singh made 117 in 106 balls to help the team score 302/7 in 50 overs. The two shared a 196-run partnership for the third wicket after Delhi lost Priya Punia and Deeksha early. Shweta Sehrawat scored 34 off 19 balls.

The bowlers then restricted Maharashtra to 246/9 in 50 overs. Nazma took 2/33, Disha Nagar took 2/42 and Bharti Rawal picked 1/31.

Delhi had finished second in elite Group C, just behind Railways, on 24 points. They won five of their six matches, losing only to Railways.

Delhi began the campaign beating Goa by 49 runs, with Priya Punia scoring 102 and Shweta Sehrawat making 76 not out and Pragya Rawat hitting 70. Ayushi Soni (2/28), Priya Mishra (2/48) and Bharti Rawal (2/24) picked two wickets each. They lost their second match by 90 runs to Railways, who were guided to 281/5 by Nuzhat Parween (100 off 117). Priya Punia (77) and Ayushi Soni (51) starred for Delhi.

Delhi then proceeded to beat Punjab by a massive margin of 87 runs. Deeksha top-scored with 168 not out (118 balls) while Tanisha made 72 not out. Parunika Sisodia (4/44) and Nazma (4/35) picked four wickets to dismiss Punjab for 255 in response to Delhi's 342/4 in 50 overs.

In their fourth match, Delhi beat Saurashtra by 186 runs. Priya Punia made 162 off 131 balls and Shweta Sehrawat scored 89 not out off 52 balls as Delhi made 363/3 in 50 overs. Saurashtra were restricted to 177/7 in 50 overs with Parunika Sisodia taking 2/29.

In the penultimate league match, Delhi coasted to an eight-wicket win over Hyderabad. Hyderabad were restricted to 203/8 in 50 overs with Nazma taking 3/28 and Bharti Rawal and Tanisha Singh taking two wickets each. Pragya Rawat scored 104 not out.

In the last league match, Delhi defeated Kerala by 98 runs. They 318/4 in 50 overs with opener Priya Punia getting her third century -- 133 -- and Shweta Sehrawat scoring 65 not out.

The Delhi girls then restricted Kerala to 220/9 in 50 overs with Nazma picking 3/36 and Ayushi Soni taking 2/20.

(Picture shows Tanisha Singh taking Player of the Match Award after the quarterfinal win)

Tags : Delhi women's cricket, Tanisha Singh, Parunika Sisodia, Priya Punia, Nazma, Ayushi Soni