Bangladesh began their DP World Women’s Asia Cup campaign with a convincing 71-run victory over Indonesia in their Group B match at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, but the tournament debutants gave the more experienced side some uncomfortable moments with the ball.
Bangladesh were restricted to 129-8 from their 20 overs after Indonesia chose to field, with Sobhana Mostary top-scoring with 40 and Shorna Akter providing a valuable late contribution of 31 not out from 18 balls.
Indonesia, playing in their first Women’s Asia Cup, responded with 58 before being bowled out in 17.3 overs as Bangladesh’s greater experience came through with the ball.
Nahida Akter led the attack with 3-15 from four overs and was named player of the match, while Marufa Akter took 2-6 from three overs.
Indonesia make Bangladesh work
The final margin suggested a comfortable Bangladesh victory, but Indonesia’s bowling performance was one of the encouraging features of the match.
Ni Made Putri Suwandewi gave Indonesia their first Asia Cup wicket when she dismissed Juairiya Ferdous for eight in the third over.
Bangladesh found boundaries difficult to come by during the early stages and reached 32-1 at the end of the powerplay.
Indonesia players celebrates the wicket of Dilara Akter of Bangladesh during the Match 4 of the DP World Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2026 between Bangladesh and Indonesia at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on August 31, 2026.
Photo by Vipin Pawar / CREIMAS for ACC
Dilara Akter and Mostary attempted to rebuild, but Indonesia continued to apply pressure through their spinners. Dilara made 27 from 31 balls before Ni Kadek Ariani ended the partnership.
Bangladesh were 58-2 after 10 overs and were still searching for the acceleration expected from a side with considerably more international experience.
Mostary, playing her 100th international match, provided stability but Indonesia continued to take wickets around her. She eventually departed for 40 from 42 balls, having struck two fours and a six.
Shorna then provided Bangladesh with the late momentum they needed.
The 18-year-old struck three fours and a six in an unbeaten 31 from just 18 deliveries, helping Bangladesh add 40 runs in the final five overs.
Indonesia, however, continued to pick up wickets and Bangladesh lost five for 21 in the closing stages of their innings.
Ariani finished with 3-28 from four overs, while Ni Luh Dewi took 2-21 as Bangladesh closed on 129-8.
Bangladesh bowlers prove too strong
If Indonesia had impressed with the ball, Bangladesh quickly demonstrated the challenge facing the Asia Cup newcomers with the bat.
Marufa produced movement with the new ball and struck twice in her opening spell, removing Rahmawati Pangestuti and Maria Corazon.
Indonesia struggled to build partnerships as Bangladesh maintained control of the scoring rate and took wickets regularly.
Nahida then became the central figure in the second half of the innings, finishing with three wickets as Indonesia were dismissed for 58.
Corazon was Indonesia’s leading scorer with 12 from 13 balls, while Pangestuti made nine. No other batter was able to produce the substantial innings needed to put Bangladesh under pressure.
Bangladesh eventually completed the victory with 15 balls remaining in Indonesia’s innings.
For Bangladesh, the 71-run win provides an ideal start in a tournament where net run-rate could also become important as the group stage develops.
But there will also be areas to assess.
Their batting was made to work considerably harder than the final result might suggest, particularly during the first half of the innings, and Indonesia showed that disciplined bowling can create pressure against the more established teams.
For Indonesia, the result was heavy but their performance with the ball provided another indication of their potential at this level.
Restricting Bangladesh to 129-8, taking eight wickets and keeping the experienced batting side under pressure for long periods represented an encouraging effort in their first Asia Cup appearance.
The greater difference between the teams ultimately came when Bangladesh had the ball in hand.
Their international experience, control and ability to keep taking wickets proved decisive as they opened their campaign with a comfortable victory in Dubai.
