Jan 27, Kathmandu- India defeated New Zealand by 8 wickets in the first semi-final match of the ICC U-19 Women's World Cup in South Africa and qualified for the final. India is the first team to reach the U-19 Women's World Cup final for the first time.

Chasing a winning target of 108 runs for the win, India completed it by losing 2 wickets in 14.2 overs. In India's win, opener Shweta Sehrawat played the highest unbeaten innings of 61 runs off 45 balls with 10 fours. Captain Shafali Verma was dismissed for 10 and Soumya Tiwari for 22 runs. New Zealand's Anna Browning took 2 wickets for 18 runs in 3.2 overs.

Before that, New Zealand, who lost the toss and were invited to bat first, lost 9 wickets in 20 overs and scored 107 runs. Georgia Plimer of New Zealand scored 35 runs off 32 balls with 2 fours.

Isabella Gaze scored 26 runs. Parshavi Chopra of India took 3 wickets in 4 overs with 20 runs including 1 maiden. England and Australia will compete in the second semi-final match today. The final will be held on Sunday.