An attacking display sees India Women through to the final of the Women’s Asia Cup 2024 as they defeat Bangladesh Women by 10 wickets in the first semi-final at Dambulla, winning with 54 balls to spare.
Bangladesh struggled against a disciplined Indian attack for they could muster only 80/8 in their quota of 20 overs, opting to bat first. It eventually turned out to be Renuka Singh who stole the show, taking home the Player of the Match award after returning a commendable spell of 3/10 from her 4 overs. She hit the first blow with the run-out of Dilara Akter for 6 and then got Murshida Khatun for 4 to have Bangladesh on the mat. Her third victim was Ishma Tanjim, who fell for 8.
Captain Nigar Sultana did fight back with 32 off 51, but hardly got any help from the other end. Radha Yadav played an equally big role with the ball, returning figures of 3 for 14. Deepti Sharma and Pooja Vastrakar chipped in with one each to ensure that Bangladesh never gained the momentum to put on board a total that could challenge them.
The Indian opening pair of Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana made the chase look easy. While Mandhana was in fabulous form, hammering 55 runs off 39 balls with 9 fours and a six, Verma played with great support, scoring an undefeated 26 off 28 balls. This 83-run stand for the opening wicket between the duo sealed the win for India in just 11 overs without any wickets.
Bangladesh bowlers had no answers to the onslaught of the Indian batters. Marufa Akter, Nahida Akter, Jahanara Alam, and Rabeya Khan were all wicketless in an attempt to contain the aggressive Indian openers.
The win will see India Women through to the final, pending the winner between the second semi-final between Sri Lanka and Pakistan. A comprehensive performance saw the Indian team in high spirits, hoping to carry such momentum into the final.
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