Mona Meshram and captain Mithali Raj both scored half-centuries as India registered their fifth successive win at the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier at the P Sara Oval, Colombo on Wednesday.

Taking on South Africa, the Indian team were put into bat first having lost the toss. South Africa struck early, Deepti Sharma falling for just nine before Meshram and Raj put on a 96-run partnership for the second wicket.

Some lower order contributions from Veda Krishnamurthy, Devika Vaidya and Shikha Pandey helped India past the 200-run mark, eventually ending their innings on 205-8 from 50 overs.

In response, South Africa were reduced to 8-2 after losing both their openers early on. Trisha Chetty scored a half-century for the hosts, but it wasn’t enough as they were bowled out for 156.

Fast bowler Shikha Pandey was the pick of the India bowlers, taking 4-34. Left-arm spinner Ekta Bisht was also impressive in her spell of 3-22.

With this win, India now has six points with two games still to play in the Super Six stage, which is likely to be enough for them to make it into the top four by the end of the round.

The top four teams at the end of the Super Six stage qualify for the ICC Women’s World Cup to be held in England in June and July this year.

BRIEF SCORES

India 205-8, 50 overs [Raj 64, Meshram 55, Marizanne Kapp 2-23] beat South Africa 156 all out, 46.4 overs [Chetty 52, Pandey 4-34, Bisht 3-22] by 49 runs.

Player of the Match – Mithali Raj