India secured a place in the Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2026 final with a convincing 40-run victory over Bangladesh at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Thursday. Shafali Verma produced a match-winning batting performance, scoring 64 from 40 deliveries, while Deepti Sharma followed it up with an excellent three-wicket spell as Bangladesh were restricted to 109/7 in their chase of 150.
The victory keeps India’s title hopes alive as the seven-time champions move into the final. India will face the winner of the second semi-final between defending champions Sri Lanka and Pakistan, with the title clash scheduled for Sunday.
Shafali Verma sets the platform for India
Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana won the toss and elected to field, hoping her bowlers could put early pressure on the Indian batting lineup.
That plan initially worked when Smriti Mandhana was dismissed for just two runs in the second over, leaving India at 9/1. However, Shafali Verma responded with an aggressive innings that shifted the momentum firmly in India’s favour.
Shafali joined Pratika Rawal and the pair put together a valuable 50-run partnership for the second wicket. India reached 45/1 at the end of the powerplay, with Shafali beginning to find her rhythm.
Rawal scored 20 from 24 balls before Rabeya Khan dismissed her in the 10th over. Shafali continued to attack despite the setback and brought up her half-century from just 35 deliveries.
The Indian opener eventually fell in the 14th over after scoring a superb 64 from 40 balls. Her innings included seven fours and three sixes, providing India with the foundation they needed to post a competitive total.
The performance also took Shafali’s tournament tally to 168 runs from four innings, making her India’s leading run-scorer in the Women’s Asia Cup 2026.
India finish strongly with the bat
Following Shafali’s dismissal, India were 92/3 and needed a strong finish to put Bangladesh under pressure.
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur and Richa Ghosh responded with a 36-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Richa added 21 from 16 balls, including two sixes, before she was stumped off Nahida Akter in the 19th over.
Deepti Sharma then provided India with valuable late runs, smashing 13 from just six deliveries with a four and a six. Harmanpreet remained unbeaten on 24 as India finished their 20 overs at 149/6.
India scored 53 runs during the final five overs, giving Bangladesh a challenging target of 150.
Sultana Khatun was Bangladesh’s most successful bowler, finishing with figures of 2/30.
Bangladesh struggle during the chase
Bangladesh began their chase cautiously, managing only 26/1 during the powerplay.
India’s bowlers maintained tight control, with Shree Charani providing the first breakthrough by dismissing Juairiya Ferdous for 14 in the sixth over. Ferdous had hit two boundaries before her innings came to an end.
Deepti Sharma then entered the attack and immediately made an impact, removing Dilara Akter for 21 to reduce Bangladesh to 35/2.
Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana and Sobhana Mostary attempted to rebuild the innings, but the required run rate continued to rise. At the halfway stage, Bangladesh had reached only 46/2, leaving them with an increasingly difficult task.
Deepti Sharma takes control
Deepti Sharma struck again in the 14th over when she bowled Sobhana Mostary for 18. Prema Rawat then removed Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana for 19 in the following over.
Bangladesh slipped further into trouble when Deepti claimed her third wicket by dismissing Sharmin Akhter, leaving the chase at 83/5.
Deepti’s three-wicket haul took her tournament tally to 11 wickets in four matches, strengthening her position as India’s leading wicket-taker in the competition.
With the required rate climbing rapidly, Bangladesh needed a major acceleration in the closing overs. Shorna Akter and Fahima Khatun attempted to keep the innings alive, but Bangladesh were left needing 52 runs from the final two overs.
Nandani Sharma finished the contest strongly for India, removing Fahima Khatun and Rabeya Khan off successive deliveries in the final over.
Bangladesh eventually finished at 109/7 after 20 overs, with Shorna Akter
India complete a comfortable victory
India’s bowling attack remained disciplined throughout the innings and successfully defended their total of 149.
Deepti Sharma finished with excellent figures of 3/26, while Nandani Sharma claimed 2/10. Shree Charani and Prema Rawat picked up one wicket each.
India’s 40-run victory means they are now through to the Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2026 final, where they will face either Sri Lanka or Pakistan.
Shafali Verma’s aggressive 64 gave India the perfect platform with the bat, while Deepti Sharma’s all-round contribution ensured Bangladesh never looked comfortable during the chase.
With both players delivering under pressure, India now enter the final with strong momentum and will be aiming to add another Women’s Asia Cup title to their record.
IND-W vs BAN-W, Women’s Asia Cup 2026 Semi-Final: Brief Scores
India: 149/6 in 20 overs
Shafali Verma 64, Harmanpreet Kaur 24*; Sultana Khatun 2/30
Bangladesh: 109/7 in 20 overs
Shorna Akter 22*, Dilara Akter 21; Deepti Sharma 3/26, Nandani Sharma 2/10
Result: India won by 40 runs and advanced to the Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2026 final.
