Charlotte Edwards was delighted after England Women produced their “best performance of the World Cup so far” to secure top spot in Group B with a 68-run win over Pakistan.
Edwards led the way for her side with an unbeaten 77 off 61 balls in a total of 148 for five before the bowlers worked as a unit to dismiss Pakistan for just 80.
Laura Marsh impressed with career-best figures of 3-12 while Anya Shrubsole, Natalie Sciver and Georgia Elwiss each took two wickets.
“I’m really pleased,” Edwards told ecb.co.uk.
“It was important today we put in a really good performance and we certainly put in our best performance of the World Cup so far.
“With bat and ball we were pretty clinical against a very good Pakistan team and under pressure because we knew we had to win the game.”
Edwards set the tone in the first over by hitting two fours and Tammy Beaumont took her captain’s lead with four boundaries in the third.
Top figures from @lauramarsh7 – 3-12 from four overs during the win over Pakistan. Well bowled! #WT20 pic.twitter.com/Y4b6qvEO01
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) March 27, 2016
England hammered 55 in the powerplay – their highest-ever score – with Beaumont on 31 off only 15 balls and Edwards playing a supporting role.
“I thought Tammy Beaumont was exceptional up front,” said Edwards.
“Our partnership has been really key throughout this World Cup, and again she’s performed well, which takes a little bit of pressure off me in the powerplay and enables me to play my game.
“She played brilliantly and I thought everyone who came in – Danni Wyatt, Nat Sciver – were fantastic as well.
“I was ably supported and it was nice to get a big score today and put us through to the semi-finals.
“Me and Tammy have played together a lot at domestic level so we know each other’s games pretty well and complement each other.
“It’s been brilliant and we want that to continue. We’ve got the semi-final coming up which is huge for us.
“It’s two more wins and that’s exciting for us as a group of players.”
On to the semi-finals with an unbeaten record! Well played team! Thanks for the support #WeAreEnglandCricket #WT20 pic.twitter.com/cqiijisEOq
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) March 27, 2016
The comfortable nature of Sunday’s win was in stark contrast to the two previous successes against India and West Indies, when England’s tail got them over the line.
“You had to take the Dharamsala games in isolation,” added Edwards.
“This was a better wicket today and you saw how this England team is now playing – being aggressive and taking the attack to the opposition. We certainly did that today.”
Edwards’ ladies will take on reigning champions Australia in the last four on the same day Eoin Morgan’s side face New Zealand in the men’s tournament.
“I’m really pleased but now it’s important we back this up on Wednesday against Australia, which is going to be a huge game for everyone,” said Edwards.
“It certainly is (a big day for English cricket). I’m really pleased for the guys who played brilliantly last night.
“To have two England semi-finals at Delhi on Wednesday is going to be fantastic. Hopefully we can get two wins.”
Source: ECB