India secured their place in the Women’s Asia Cup final on Thursday after a dominant 40-run victory against Bangladesh in the semifinal held in Dubai. Opener Shafali Verma spearheaded the effort, scoring a blistering 64 off 40 deliveries to help India post a competitive total of 149/7 after being sent in to bat.
Verma’s innings was marked by aggressive intent, featuring seven fours and three sixes. Despite surviving three dropped catches and a missed run-out opportunity, her contribution proved vital as batting conditions grew increasingly difficult. Following the early loss of Smriti Mandhana for two, Verma and Pratika Rawal stabilized the innings with a 50-run partnership. Rawal contributed 20 off 24 balls before falling to Rabeya Khan, leaving the team at 58/2.
After reaching her 20th T20I half-century in 35 balls, Verma accelerated further before being dismissed by Sultana Khatun. The late-order surge was crucial; India managed 53 runs in the final five overs, aided by captain Harmanpreet Kaur’s unbeaten 24 off 28 balls, a quick 21 from Richa Ghosh, and a sharp 13-run cameo from Deepti Sharma. Sultana Khatun finished as the pick of the Bangladesh bowlers with 2-30.
In response, Bangladesh struggled to maintain the required pace. Although they reached 26 without loss by the sixth over, Shree Charani broke the opening partnership by removing Juairiya Ferdous for 14. Deepti Sharma then dismantled the middle order, claiming 3-26 to stifle any potential recovery. Despite a late unbeaten 22 from Shorna Akter, Bangladesh finished at 109/7. Nandni Sharma closed out the match with two wickets in the final over, including a hit-wicket dismissal of Rabeya Khan.
Brief Scores: India 149/6 (Shafali Verma 64; Sultana Khatun 2-30) defeated Bangladesh 109/7 (Shorna Akter 22*; Deepti Sharma 3-26) by 40 runs. The report also notes that india, who were put in to bat after Bangladesh won the toss, posted 149/7, with Shafali providing the impetus at the top of the order. The report also notes that but it helped India add precious runs against the hard new ball as batting got progressively tou, she struck 7 fours and 3 sixes in a charmed knock that saw her dropped thrice and survive a straightforward run-out chance. The report also notes that shafali, however, continued to attack. The report also notes that at 92/3 after 14 overs, India still needed a strong finish.
