India, batting first, posted 149 for six. In reply, Bangladesh managed 109 for seven. India will now face the winner of the Pakistan-Sri Lanka match in the title clash.
Ahead of the final, India’s star player Deepti Sharma revealed how the team will prepare its fielding and strategy for the title match.
Deepti Sharma said it would make no difference to India whether Pakistan or Sri Lanka reached the final. “Whether Pakistan or Sri Lanka comes in the final, it does not make a difference to us. Actually, it depends on their result, but the Indian team is fully aware of this. We do not consider any team weak. As a team, we always think about how we can improve our performance further in every match. Our target is how we can perform better as a whole team. Tomorrow, we will all sit together and watch the match. That will help us plan our strategy better for the final,” Deepti Sharma said.
India reached the final for the 10th consecutive time. The semi-final was played at the Dubai International Stadium on Thursday.
While chasing the target, Bangladesh’s batters made a cautious start. They did not lose wickets quickly, but they could not increase the required scoring rate. The pitch was offering good assistance to spin, and Bangladesh’s batters were unable to take on the Indian bowlers.
In India’s previous three matches, against Thailand, Hong Kong and Pakistan, the opposition had not been allowed to cross the 65-run mark, with Thailand scoring 65, Hong Kong 56 and Pakistan 55. Bangladesh, however, managed to go beyond that mark. India also paid a price for poor fielding and failed to dismiss the entire Bangladesh team.
Earlier, India captain Harmanpreet Kaur won the toss and opted to bat first. Sultana Khatun gave India its first setback in the second over, when left-handed opener Smriti Mandhana was dismissed for two runs.
Shafali Verma and Pratika Rawal then put together a 50-run partnership from 44 balls. India had reached 45 for one in the first six overs of the powerplay. Shafali then increased the scoring rate as India pushed towards a competitive total.
India’s 149 for six proved enough to put Bangladesh under sustained pressure, with the Indian bowling attack controlling the chase and securing a 40-run victory. The result confirmed India’s place in the Asia Cup T20 final, where the team will now await the winner of Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
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