India beats Bangladesh, enters sixth consecutive Women’s Asia Cup final

Shafali Verma smacked her 20th T20I half-century against Bangladesh. | Photo Credit: BCCI Women/X

India entered its sixth consecutive Women’s Asia Cup final after beating Bangladesh by 40 runs in the first semifinal of the 2026 edition at the Dubai International Stadium on Thursday.

The Women in Blue have been part of every summit clash since the 2012 edition when the tournament’s format was changed to T20. Since then, they have lifted three titles and finished runner-up twice.

The Harmanpreet Kaur-led side will face the winner of the second semifinal between defending champion Sri Lanka and Pakistan on Friday. If the Lankans win, it will be a rematch of the 2024 final.

Against Bangladesh, the 22-year-old Shafali Verma smacked her 20th T20I half-century to help India post a 150-run target, before the Indian spinners restricted the Bangladeshi batters to 109.

AS IT HAPPENED | India vs Bangladesh Highlights

Shafali made the most of three reprieves — while being on 6, 11 and 56 — and stitched 50-run and 33-run partnerships with Pratika Rawal and Harmanpreet respectively.

Deepti Sharma’s six-ball cameo of 13, including a four and a six, provided India with a final push. Then, the Agra all-rounder picked three wickets for 26 runs in her four overs.

Nandni Sharma took two scalps, and Prema Rawat and N. Shree Charani also bagged a wicket apiece. It was a special night for Shree Charani who, with her 50th T20I wicket, equalled Poonam Yadav’s record for most wickets by an Indian in a calendar year in this format (35).

India’s fielding, though, was sloppy, with Pratika dropping two catches and Smriti Mandhana too fumbling a chance at the boundary rope. Despite these reprieves, the Bangladesh batters couldn’t get close to the Indian target.