India beat Bangladesh by 40 runs in the Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2026 semi-final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Thursday to progress to the title clash.
Shafali Verma struck 64 off 40 balls to guide the Indian cricket team to 149/6 before Deepti Sharma returned 3/26 as Bangladesh were restricted to 109/7 in their chase of 150.
The seven-time champions will face the winner of the second semi-final between defending champions Sri Lanka and Pakistan, scheduled for Friday, in the final on Sunday.
Earlier, Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana won the toss and opted to field, with her bowlers making an early breakthrough.
Smriti Mandhana was caught off Sultana Khatun for two in the second over, leaving India 9/1.
Shafali and Pratika Rawal steadied the innings with a 50-run partnership for the second wicket as India reached 45/1 at the end of the powerplay.
Rawal made 20 off 24 balls before falling to Rabeya Khan in the 10th over but Shafali continued to attack at the other end.
The Indian opener brought up her half-century off 35 deliveries.
Shafali eventually departed for 64 off 40 balls in the 14th over. Her knock, which included seven fours and three sixes, took her tally to 168 runs in four innings, making her India’s leading run-scorer at the Women’s Asia Cup 2026.
India were 92/3 following Shafali’s dismissal before captain Harmanpreet Kaur and Richa Ghosh added 36 runs for the fourth wicket.
Richa struck two sixes in her 21 off 16 balls before being stumped off Nahida Akter in the 19th over.
Deepti then provided late impetus with 13 off six deliveries, including a four and a six, while Harmanpreet remained unbeaten on 24.
India scored 53 runs from the final five overs to finish on 149/6.
Bangladesh made a cautious start to the chase and were restricted to 26/1 in the powerplay.
Shree Charani provided India’s first breakthrough by removing Juairiya Ferdous for 14 in the sixth over after the Bangladesh opener had struck two fours. Deepti then dismissed Dilara Akter for 21 to reduce Bangladesh to 35/2.
Sobhana Mostary and Nigar Sultana attempted to rebuild the innings, but Bangladesh were only 46/2 at the halfway stage and the required rate continued to climb.
Deepti struck again in the 14th over, bowling Sobhana for 18, before Prema Rawat removed Bangladesh captain Nigar for 19 at the end of the following over.
Sharmin Akhter became Deepti’s third victim shortly afterwards as Bangladesh slipped to 83/5.
The three-wicket haul took Deepti to 11 wickets in four matches at the Women’s Asia Cup 2026, strengthening her position as India’s leading wicket-taker at the tournament.
Shorna Akter and Fahima Khatun kept Bangladesh going, but the required rate continued to rise and they were left needing 52 runs from the final two overs.
Nandani Sharma removed Fahima for 14 and Rabeya Khan off successive deliveries in the final over as Bangladesh finished on 109/7, with Shorna unbeaten on 22.
Deepti finished with 3/26, while Nandani took 2/10. Charani and Rawat picked up one wicket each as India completed a 40-run victory and booked their place in the final.
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 not out; Sultana Khatun 2/30) beat Bangladesh 109/7 in 20 overs (Shorna Akter 22 not out, Dilara Akter 21; Deepti Sharma 3/26, Nandani Sharma 2/10) by 40 runs.
READ MORE: https://www.olympics.com/en/news/women-asia-cup-2026-india-vs-bangladesh-cricket-semi-final-report
