Shafali Verma’s commanding 64 and Deepti Sharma’s three-wicket spell powered India to a clinical 40-run victory over Bangladesh, extending their unbroken run of appearances in Women’s T20 Asia Cup finals.
Match at a glance
- Shafali Verma struck 64 from 40 balls at a strike rate of 160.
- India hit a match-record 11 sixes despite batting on a slow surface.
- Deepti Sharma took 3/26, while Nandani Sharma claimed 2/10.
- Bangladesh’s top five all reached double figures but no partnership took control of the chase.
- India will face either Sri Lanka or Pakistan in Sunday’s final.
DUBAI: India Women booked their place in the 2026 Women’s T20 Asia Cup final with a controlled 40-run win over Bangladesh Women on Thursday. A challenging surface demanded patience and smart use of spin, but India handled both phases of the contest better, posting 149/6 before restricting Bangladesh to 109/7.
The victory continued one of the competition’s most remarkable streaks: India have reached the final in all six editions played in the T20 format. They won the title in 2012, 2016 and 2022, while finishing runners-up in 2018 and 2024.
Shafali attacks while Bangladesh miss their chances
After Bangladesh opted to bowl, India lost Smriti Mandhana for two, placing early responsibility on Shafali. The opener responded with the decisive innings of the match with 64 runs from 40 deliveries, including seven fours and three sixes.
It was not a flawless knock. Bangladesh created opportunities and put Shafali down three times, but she repeatedly punished those misses. Her intent in the powerplay and ability to clear the rope separated India from a Bangladesh side that later struggled to manufacture the same acceleration.
Pratika Rawal contributed 20 from 24 balls before Harmanpreet Kaur anchored the middle and closing overs with an unbeaten 24. Richa Ghosh supplied momentum through a 16-ball 21, and Deepti Sharma’s rapid 13 from six deliveries gave India a valuable late push.
Bangladesh’s spinners slowed the scoring for stretches, with Rabeya Khan conceding only 22 runs in four overs. Yet dropped catches and India’s boundary-hitting allowed the total to climb to 149, an imposing score on a pitch offering grip and turn.
India’s spinners close every route back
Bangladesh needed a fast start to reduce the pressure of the asking rate, but India’s new-ball pair of Kranti Gaud and Nandani Sharma gave little away. Once spin entered the contest, the chase became progressively harder.
Juairiya Ferdous made 14, Dilara Akter 21 and Sobhana Mostary 18, but each was dismissed before converting a start into a match-shaping innings. Captain Nigar Sultana briefly lifted the tempo with 19 from 17 balls, while Shorna Akter remained unbeaten on 22, but Bangladesh never produced the sustained partnership required to threaten India.
Deepti was central to India’s control. She removed Dilara, Sobhana and Sharmin Akhter to finish with 3/26. Shree Charani’s 1/14 included a maiden, Prema Rawat took 1/21, and Nandani returned at the death to claim two wickets in the final over.
Bangladesh generated enough chances to keep India near 120, but their failure to hold key catches allowed Shafali to build the innings that changed the match. On a slow pitch, the additional 25–30 runs proved decisive.
Leading performers
| Player | Team | Performance | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shafali Verma | India | 64 (40) | Set up the winning total |
| Deepti Sharma | India | 13 (6) & 3/26 | Late runs and middle-over wickets |
| Shree Charani | India | 1/14 | Most economical four-over spell |
| Nandani Sharma | India | 2/10 | Closed the innings strongly |
| Shorna Akter | Bangladesh | 22* (18) | Bangladesh’s top scorer |
What the captains and Player of the Match said
Harmanpreet praised India’s all-round performance and said the pitch rewarded bowlers who imparted strong revolutions. She highlighted the value of India’s smaller batting partnerships and Deepti’s timely breakthroughs.
Shafali said the humid conditions made batting physically demanding. She focused on settling into her innings before carrying out her role of attacking during the powerplay.
Nigar pointed to missed chances and an ineffective powerplay chase rather than semi-final pressure. She said Bangladesh must learn to play with greater freedom and execute their skills more consistently.
Records and milestones
- Six from six: India have reached the final of every Women’s T20 Asia Cup—2012, 2016, 2018, 2022, 2024 and 2026.
- Record six-hitting: India’s 11 sixes are the most by a team in a Women’s T20 Asia Cup match.
- Charani’s landmark: Shree Charani moved to 35 T20I wickets in 2026, equalling Poonam Yadav’s Indian women’s record for most T20I wickets in a calendar year.
- Shafali’s surge: Her 64 was the only fifty of the semi-final and earned her the Player of the Match award.
Scorecard summary
India Women 149/6 in 20 overs: Shafali Verma 64, Harmanpreet Kaur 24 not out, Richa Ghosh 21; Sultana Khatun 2 wickets, Rabeya Khan 1/22, Nahida Akter 1/25.
Bangladesh Women 109/7 in 20 overs: Shorna Akter 22 not out, Dilara Akter 21, Nigar Sultana 19; Deepti Sharma 3/26, Nandani Sharma 2/10, Shree Charani 1/14.
Result: India Women won by 40 runs. Player of the Match: Shafali Verma.
India must wait for Friday’s Sri Lanka–Pakistan semi-final to learn their opponent for Sunday’s title clash. Sri Lanka defeated India in the 2024 final, while India beat Pakistan in the 2012 and 2016 finals—giving either matchup a compelling history.
