Dubai: India reached the Women’s Asia Cup final after defeating Bangladesh by 40 runs in the first semi final at the Dubai International Stadium on Thursday.
India scored 149 for six in their 20 overs before restricting Bangladesh to 109 for seven from their 20 overs.
The victory kept India unbeaten in the tournament and secured their place in the final on September 13 in Dubai.
Shafali Verma was the leading scorer for India, making 64 runs from 40 balls. Her innings included seven fours and three sixes.
India lost Smriti Mandhana for two runs early in their innings, but Shafali helped steady the batting effort. Pratika Rawal added 20 runs from 24 balls before she was dismissed.
Harmanpreet Kaur remained unbeaten on 24 from 28 balls, while Richa Ghosh scored 21 from 16 balls. Deepti Sharma added 13 runs from five balls as India finished on 149 for six.
Bangladesh's bowlers kept India under pressure at different stages of the innings, but missed chances in the field helped India build a competitive total.
Bangladesh needed 150 runs to win but struggled to maintain the required scoring rate against India's bowling attack.
Juairiya Ferdous and Dilara Akter gave Bangladesh a positive start before India's bowlers began to make regular breakthroughs.
Deepti Sharma was the key bowler for India, taking three wickets for 26 runs. Nandani Sharma took two wickets for 10 runs, while Shree Charani and Prema Rawat claimed one wicket each.
Dilara Akter scored 21 runs and Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana made 19 from 17 balls. Shorna Akter remained unbeaten on 22 as Bangladesh finished on 109 for seven.
Nigar's dismissal came after she had hit a six that briefly raised hopes of a Bangladesh recovery. She was dismissed while attempting to hit Prema Rawat, leaving Bangladesh four wickets down.
The match also featured a brief exchange between Deepti Sharma and Nigar Sultana during Bangladesh's chase.
The incident occurred around the 10th over after Deepti threw the ball towards the stumps and Nigar stopped it with her leg. The two players then exchanged words before play continued.
The exchange attracted attention during the match, but it did not change the result or interrupt the progress of the game.
India had entered the semi final after finishing at the top of Group A with three wins from three matches. Bangladesh finished second in Group B after winning two of their three group matches.
The victory takes India into their 10th Women’s Asia Cup final. India have been a dominant team in the tournament and have continued their strong run in the 2026 edition.
India will face the winner of the second semi final between Sri Lanka and Pakistan in the final on September 13 in Dubai.
The result gives India another chance to win the continental title, while Bangladesh leave the tournament after reaching the semi final.