Shafali Verma’s half-century and Deepti Sharma’s three-wicket haul carried India into their 10th Women’s Asia Cup final
India booked their place in the DP World Women’s Asia Cup final with a convincing 40-run victory over Bangladesh at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Thursday.
Shafali Verma struck 64 from 40 balls to guide India to 149 for six before Deepti Sharma claimed three for 26 as Bangladesh were restricted to 109 for seven from their 20 overs.
Bangladesh won the toss and chose to bowl, hoping their spin attack could exploit a surface that had proved difficult for batters throughout the tournament.
They made an encouraging start when Smriti Mandhana was dismissed for two in the second over. However, Shafali responded with an attacking innings containing seven fours and three sixes.
She added 50 for the second wicket with Pratika Rawal, who contributed 20 from 24 deliveries, before accelerating alongside captain Harmanpreet Kaur.
Bangladesh had opportunities to gain control but were let down by their fielding, with Shafali receiving several lives during her innings. She was eventually dismissed for 64 with India on 92 for three in the 14th over.
Harmanpreet held the innings together with an unbeaten 24, while Richa Ghosh gave India late momentum with 21 from 16 balls. Deepti then scored 13 from six deliveries as India added valuable runs in the closing overs.
Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana admitted that her side had hoped to restrict India to around 130 but lost control during the final stages of the innings.
“We believed we could restrict them below 130 because of the way we had bowled and fielded in our previous matches,” Nigar said after the defeat.
“We created chances, but we could not hold on to them. If we had taken Shafali’s catch early, the situation might have been different.
“Our spinners bowled according to their plans and kept India under control through the middle overs. But Richa and Harmanpreet batted well at the end, and we conceded too many runs in the final three or four overs.”
Bangladesh began their chase cautiously but struggled to build the partnerships required to put India under sustained pressure.
Juairiya Ferdous made 14 before becoming the first wicket to fall with the score on 26. Dilara Akter followed for 21, leaving Bangladesh 35 for two in the eighth over.
Sobhana Mostary and Nigar attempted to rebuild the innings, but India’s spinners continued to control the scoring rate. Deepti dismissed Mostary for 18 before Prema Rawat removed Nigar for 19, reducing Bangladesh to 76 for four after 15 overs.
With the required rate continuing to rise, Bangladesh were unable to mount a late recovery. Shorna Akter finished unbeaten on 22, but the side ended 40 runs short of India’s total.
Nandani Sharma took two wickets in the final over, while Shree Charani and Prema claimed one apiece. Charani was particularly economical, conceding only 14 runs from her four overs.
Speaking after the match, Deepti said her experience as an all-rounder allowed her to contribute regardless of whether India were setting or chasing a target.
“I started my cricket journey as an all-rounder, so I always trust that I can contribute with the bat as well,” she said.
“It does not matter to me whether we bowl first or bat first. I always want to contribute as an all-rounder for the team. I only faced a few balls today, but getting those runs gives me confidence.”
India were not flawless in the field, and Deepti acknowledged that improvements would be needed before the final.
“As a team, we always work hard on our catching and fielding during practice,” she said. “It is important that we perform well in all three departments, and we will look to improve before the final.”
India will face the winner of the second semi-final between defending champions Sri Lanka and Pakistan. Deepti said the team would watch that match closely before finalising its plans.
“We will sit together and watch the game,” she said. “That will help us plan our strategy for the final.
“We do not take any team lightly. Whether it is Sri Lanka or Pakistan, our focus will be on how we can perform better collectively in every department.”
India’s progress extends their dominant run at the tournament, while Bangladesh leave the competition knowing that missed chances proved costly in their most important match.
Full match scorecard.
