TOI Sports Desk
NEW DELHI: The Indian opener Shafali Verma has emphasized the need for the team to enhance their performance in all aspects of the game as they prepare for the women’s Asia Cup semifinal clash against Bangladesh in Dambulla on Friday, despite their impressive run in the tournament so far.
With an average exceeding 52 runs per game, Shafali has been the second-highest run-scorer in the competition, amassing 158 runs from her three appearances.
In their group stage encounters, India secured victories by margins of seven wickets against Pakistan, 78 runs against UAE, and 82 runs against Nepal.
“It’s a nice feeling the way we are winning the matches and gelling well as a team. But the semifinal is very important for us. We are practicing very hard, and hopefully we will execute (plans) tomorrow,” said Shafali, as quoted by PTI, on the eve of the semifinal.
“As a batting unit, we are backing our strength. Bowlers are also doing well at nets. But we need to keep improving ourselves,” she added.
Shafali mentioned that the lower-order batters have been diligently honing their skills during practice sessions, especially since they haven’t had the opportunity to showcase their batting abilities in the ongoing Asia Cup tournament.
“They haven’t had much of a chance (to bat). But Deepti (Sharma), Pooja (Vastrakar) and all other lower batters are practicing well, and I am sure they are ready to hit a few sixes whenever their opportunity comes,” she said.
The 20-year-old cricketer emphasized that the current title holders have put a particular focus on their performance in the field.
“We are working hard on our fielding. Hopefully, we will be able to tick the boxes in all three departments – batting, bowling, fielding – tomorrow against Bangladesh,” she said.
With an average exceeding 52 runs per game, Shafali has been the second-highest run-scorer in the competition, amassing 158 runs from her three appearances.
In their group stage encounters, India secured victories by margins of seven wickets against Pakistan, 78 runs against UAE, and 82 runs against Nepal.
“It’s a nice feeling the way we are winning the matches and gelling well as a team. But the semifinal is very important for us. We are practicing very hard, and hopefully we will execute (plans) tomorrow,” said Shafali, as quoted by PTI, on the eve of the semifinal.
“As a batting unit, we are backing our strength. Bowlers are also doing well at nets. But we need to keep improving ourselves,” she added.
Shafali mentioned that the lower-order batters have been diligently honing their skills during practice sessions, especially since they haven’t had the opportunity to showcase their batting abilities in the ongoing Asia Cup tournament.
“They haven’t had much of a chance (to bat). But Deepti (Sharma), Pooja (Vastrakar) and all other lower batters are practicing well, and I am sure they are ready to hit a few sixes whenever their opportunity comes,” she said.
The 20-year-old cricketer emphasized that the current title holders have put a particular focus on their performance in the field.
“We are working hard on our fielding. Hopefully, we will be able to tick the boxes in all three departments – batting, bowling, fielding – tomorrow against Bangladesh,” she said.