India defeat Sri Lanka by 71 runs to cement semi-final berth in ICC Women' T20 WC

St.Kitts (West Indies), May 11 (ANI): India registered a resounding 71 run victory over Sri Lanka to qualify for the semi-finals of the ICC Women's World T20 Championship at the Warner Park here.

India posted a respectable total of 144 for Sri Lanka to chase, Sulakshana Naik and Mithali Raj did the bulk of scoring, both hitting half-centuries.

Naik smashed five boundaries on her way to 59 and was ably supported by Raj, who made 52.

Sri Lanka were bowled out for 73 in their 20 overs.

Diana David the pick of the Indian bowlers taking an impressive 4-12 that included the wickets of top-order batters Suwini de Alwis, Chamari Polgampola and Sripali Weerakkody.

India will now take on Australia in the first semi-final at St Lucia on Thursday.

Earlier in the day, New Zealand pace bowler Nicola Browne led her side's rout of the Pakistan team in the final game of Group B to secure the top place in the pool.

Browne, who took 4-15, demolished the Pakistan batting line up with Sana Mir's side finishing its 20 overs for 65-9. Having won the toss and electing to bat only three of Pakistan's side made it into double figures, Nain Abidi (11), Urooj Mumtaz (14) and Sania Khan (15). (ANI)