Daijiworld Media Network – Dubai
Dubai, Sep 11: A blistering knock by Shafali Verma and an impressive bowling performance by Deepti Sharma powered the Harmanpreet Kaur-led Indian women’s cricket team to a 40-run victory over Bangladesh in the Asia Cup 2026 semifinal at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Thursday.
With the win, India stormed into the final, which will be played in Dubai on Sunday.
Asked to bat first, India suffered an early setback when Smriti Mandhana was dismissed for just two runs. However, Shafali and Pratika Rawal steadied the innings before Rawal departed for 20 off 24 balls in the 10th over.
Shafali continued her aggressive approach and took the Bangladesh bowlers apart, scoring a match-winning 64. She received valuable support from captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who remained unbeaten on 24 off 28 balls, while Richa Ghosh scored 21 off 16 deliveries and Deepti added a quick 13 off six balls.
India finished with 149/6 in their 20 overs, setting Bangladesh a target of 150.
Bangladesh began cautiously, with Dilara Akter scoring 21 off 26 balls and Juairiya Ferdous making 14 off 18 deliveries. However, India continued to strike at regular intervals and kept the scoring under control.
Sobhana Mostary scored 18, skipper Nigar Sultana made 19, while Shorna Akter remained unbeaten on 22. Bangladesh eventually finished at 109/7 in their 20 overs.
Deepti was the standout bowler for India, picking up three wickets for 26 runs in her four overs. Nandani Sharma claimed two wickets while conceding only 10 runs, while Shree Charani and Prema Rawat picked up one wicket each.
Shafali was named Player of the Match for her crucial innings.
After the match, Harmanpreet praised her team’s all-round performance, highlighting the importance of the partnerships and Deepti’s timely breakthroughs.
“All the partnership we had today while batting, those were very crucial, and even Richa Ghosh's batting. She played a few really good shots. And with the ball, Deepti was excellent.
Whenever we needed, she came up and gave us breakthroughs,” Harmanpreet said.
India will now await the winner of the second semifinal between Sri Lanka and Pakistan, scheduled to be played in Dubai on Friday.
Brief scores: India 149/6 in 20 overs beat Bangladesh 109/7 in 20 overs by 40 runs.