India are through to the Women’s Asia Cup final after a commanding 40-run victory over Bangladesh in the semifinal in Dubai on Thursday. Shafali Verma’s sparkling 64 off 40 balls set the platform at the top of the order, and a disciplined bowling performance led by Deepti Sharma did the rest as Bangladesh were restricted to 109 for 7 in reply to India’s 149 for 6.
Bangladesh won the toss and chose to bowl, a decision that looked shrewd when Smriti Mandhana departed for just 2 in the early overs. Shafali Verma, however, had other ideas. She and Pratika Rawal steadied the innings with a 50-run second-wicket partnership before Rawal was caught at cover for 20 attempting to take on Rabeya Khan. India were 58 for 2 and in need of their opener to carry the fight.
Shafali Verma carried it emphatically. She reached her fifty off 35 balls, her 20th half-century in T20I cricket, and continued to accelerate, striking a six and two fours in the 14th over before finally holing out at deep midwicket off Sultana Khatun for 64. The knock was not without its moments of fortune. She was dropped three times and survived a straightforward run-out chance, but on a surface that grew increasingly difficult to bat on as the match progressed, her contribution at the top of the order proved decisive.
With India sitting at 92 for 3 after 14 overs, a strong finish was essential. Harmanpreet Kaur took time to find her range, scoring just 6 from her first 18 deliveries as Bangladesh’s spinners kept her subdued, before shifting through the gears to finish unbeaten on 24 off 28. Richa Ghosh contributed a useful 21 off 16, and Deepti Sharma’s late cameo of 13 off 6 balls, including a four and a six, pushed India past the 150 mark. India scored 53 runs in the final five overs after managing only 51 in the nine that preceded them.
How IND W vs BAN W Unfolded in the Chase
Bangladesh made a composed start to their chase, reaching 26 without loss inside the powerplay, but the innings unravelled quickly once Shree Charani broke the opening stand by dismissing Juairiya Ferdous for 14. Deepti Sharma then took control, removing three of the next four batters to fall and draining whatever momentum Bangladesh had tried to build. Their lower order contributed some late boundaries but the required rate had long since climbed out of reach.
Nandni Sharma returned to bowl the final over and took two wickets, including a hit-wicket dismissal of Rabeya Khan, to wrap up the innings at 109 for 7. Deepti finished with 3 for 26, the standout bowling performance of a collective effort that never allowed Bangladesh to find a foothold in the chase.
India advance to the Asia Cup final, continuing a dominant run in the tournament and giving Harmanpreet Kaur’s side another opportunity to add to their collection of continental titles.
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