India’s women’s team booked a place in the Asia Cup T20 final for the 10th time after defeating Bangladesh by 40 runs in the first semi-final in Dubai.
Bangladesh won the toss and chose to field. India had an early setback as Smriti Mandhana fell for 2, but Shafali Verma counter-attacked with a fluent 64 off 40 balls, including three sixes and seven fours. Pratika Rawal added 20 as India rebuilt.
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur and Richa Ghosh then steadied the innings with a 36-run stand for the fourth wicket before Ghosh was dismissed for 21. Harmanpreet remained unbeaten on 24 as India finished on 149/5 in 20 overs.
In reply, Bangladesh could manage only 109/7. Shorna (22), Dilara (21) and captain Nigar Sultana (19) offered resistance, but India’s bowlers kept control, with Deepti Sharma taking three wickets and Nandini picking up two.
