Bangladesh launched their Women’s Asia Cup campaign with a dominant 71-run victory against tournament debutants Indonesia at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Monday, August 31. The Group B encounter saw Bangladesh recover from a slow start to post a competitive total of 129 for 8, before their bowling attack dismantled the Indonesian lineup for just 58 runs.
The Bangladeshi innings faced early pressure as Indonesia’s bowlers maintained disciplined lines, limiting the batting side to 32 for 1 by the end of the Powerplay. Juairiya Ferdous departed for 8, and Dilara Akter struggled to find rhythm during her 27-run knock off 31 balls. Sobhana Mostary provided some stability with a composed 40 off 42 deliveries, featuring two fours and a six, but the team struggled to clear the ropes consistently until the final stages.
Shorna Akter provided a vital late-innings spark, smashing an unbeaten 31 off 18 balls with three fours and a six to help Bangladesh add 40 runs in the final five overs. Despite this momentum, Indonesia’s Ni Kadek Ariani impressed with the ball, claiming 3 for 28, including two wickets in the final over. Ni Luh Dewi also contributed by dismissing Mostary and Ritu Moni in consecutive deliveries during the 17th over, ultimately restricting Bangladesh to 10 runs across the final two overs.
Indonesia’s chase never gained traction against a clinical bowling performance. Marufa Akter struck early, removing Rahmawati Pangestuti for 9 and later trapping Maria Corazon lbw for 12, the only double-digit score of the innings. By the 10th over, Indonesia had slipped to 39 for 4, with Fahima Khatun and Shanjida Akter Meghla further tightening the grip by removing Ni Putu Ayu Nanda Sakarini and Ni Luh Dewi respectively.
Nahida Akter spearheaded the final collapse, taking 3 for 15 in a devastating two-over spell. She dismissed Ni Kadek Fitria Rada Rani, Ni Made Putri Suwandewi, and Ni Kadek Ariani, while Sofia Velic was run out as the innings folded in 17.3 overs. The final scorecard read: Bangladesh 129/8 in 20 overs, while Indonesia was dismissed for 58, handing the victory to Bangladesh by 71 runs. The report also notes that shorna Akter came up with a quick-fire knock to lift Bangladesh to 129 for 8 before Marufa Akter and Nahida Akter did the bulk of the damage with the ball to bowl Indonesia out for 58. The report also notes that bangladesh recovered from a sluggish start to post in excess of 120. The report also notes that caught at mid-on off Marufa Akter, before Maria Corazon briefly provided some impetus with 12 off 13, the only double digit score in Indonesia’s innings, they lost Rahmawati Pangestuti for 9 in the third over. The report also notes that leaving Indonesia 26 for two, corazon was trapped lbw by Marufa in the fifth over. The report also notes that the innings stalled completely thereafter. The report also notes that the slide continued as Nahida struck thrice in two overs to reduce the opposition to 53 for 8.
