China, Japan women enter Asiad semis

China clinched a nail-biting one-run victory over Thailand to reach the Asian Games women's cricket semi-finals. In the other game Japan beat Nepal by 45 runs to also enter the semi-finals.

In the first game, chasing 94 to win, Thailand needed six for victory off the last over bowled by off-spinner Wu Juan to clinch a last-four showdown with Bangladesh.

Wu on Wednesday conceded two runs off the first three balls before clean bowling Naruemol Chaiwai off the fourth delivery.

Japan on the other hand made 135 for four in 20 overs thanks to skipper Kuribayashi's 63 off 60 balls. Nepal in reply could make only 90 for nine in its 20 overs.

Thanapan Saisud then came to the crease and pushed the fifth ball into the off side for two runs which left her team on 92-6 amd needing two for a win and just a single for a tie.

But facing the last delivery of the game, Thanapan went for an ugly slog and missed, leaving China to celebrate and Thailand in tears.

"I felt really stressed bowling the last over," said Wu.

"But I tried to turn that pressure into motivation. I knew they only needed six runs, so I tried to bowl a dot ball every time."

Sun Huan had top scored for China with 37 while Pundarika Prathanmitr smashed a breezy 46 off 52 balls with five fours for Thailand.

"Despite everything I did, we still lost. I feel so sad," said Pundarika.

Sun, who had been promoted to opener, said China would enjoy their status as underdogs when they face Bangladesh on Thursday.

"In Chinese, we have an old saying: 'One should not be afraid of wearing shoes when one is barefoot'. We have done everything we can and we want to conquer in our next match as well," she said.

Thursday's other semi-final will feature favourites Pakistan against either Japan.