Haryana teen Shafali stars in Indian win

Surat, October 1 

Shafali Verma struck a fine 46 before Poonam Yadav claimed three wickets as India registered a convincing 51-run win over South Africa in the rain-hit fourth women’s T20I to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the five-match series here today.

The 15-year-old Shafali, who was dismissed for a four-ball duck on her debut in the opening match, laid the foundation with a 33-ball innings, which included five fours and two sixes. Shafali and Smriti Mandhana (13) added 52 runs off 42 balls for the opening wicket before the latter was dismissed. Jemimah Rodrigues then provided the stablity with a 22-ball 33 as India posted a competitive 140/4 in a match reduced to 17 overs due to rain.

In reply, South Africa could only manage 89/7 as Poonam (3/13) weaved her magic. India had won the opening game by 11 runs. The second and third T20Is were washed out. India will take on South Africa in the fifth T20I on Friday. — PTI 

Brief scores: India: 140/4 (Shafali 46, Jemimah 33); South Africa: 89/7 (Poonam 3/13, Radha Yadav 2/16)