Dubai, September 9, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Seven-time champions India will look to find greater batting stability, particularly in the middle order, when they take on a spirited Bangladesh in the Women’s Asia Cup semi-final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Thursday.
The winner will secure a place in Sunday’s title clash. India enter the knockout encounter as Group A toppers and firm favourites, having won their last eight T20I meetings against Bangladesh.
However, Bangladesh’s history against India in the Asia Cup serves as a warning. In 2018, Bangladesh defeated India twice, including in the final, to claim their maiden Asia Cup title.
India’s batting remains an area of concern despite their strong campaign. Their middle order came under scrutiny after the team lost eight wickets for 46 runs against Thailand earlier in the tournament. Similar batting problems had also contributed to India’s failure to reach the semi-finals of the recent T20 World Cup.
Bangladesh, who finished second in Group B, will look to exploit any weakness in India’s batting. Their in-form pacer Marufa Akter has taken a wicket in her opening spell in every match of the tournament and has maintained an impressive economy rate of 3.27. Her ability to extract movement with the new ball could test India’s top order of Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma and Pratika Rawal.
Pratika, who has stepped in at No. 3 following Jemimah Rodrigues’ injury, has scored 36 runs in three innings at a strike rate of 109.09. The semi-final provides her with an opportunity to make a significant contribution.
Mandhana is also 69 runs away from becoming the leading run-scorer in women’s T20I history. She has already become the highest run-scorer in women’s international cricket and recently struck a memorable 124 against Hong Kong.
In Dubai’s spin-friendly conditions, India’s bowling attack has been a major strength. Their spinners have taken 21 wickets at a tournament-best average of 4.42. Left-arm spinner N Sree Charani has been particularly impressive, claiming 21 wickets in her last eight T20Is.
Teams batting first have won eight of the 12 matches played in the tournament so far. With evening temperatures expected to remain above 35 degrees Celsius, the knockout clash will also test the players physically.
The contest could ultimately come down to which batting unit handles the pressure better and produces a decisive performance.
When: Thursday, September 9, 8:00 PM IST
Where: Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai
Where to watch: Sony Sports Ten 1 SD & HD; live streaming on the Sony LIV app and website.
Squads
India: Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Smriti Mandhana (vice-captain), Shafali Verma, Bharti Fulmali, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (wk), G Kamalini (wk), Arundhati Reddy, Prema Rawat, Radha Yadav, N Sree Charani, Renuka Singh Thakur, Nandni Sharma, Kranti Gaud, Pratika Rawal.
Bangladesh: Nigar Sultana Joty (captain), Nahida Akter (vice-captain), Dilara Akter, Farjana Easmin, Juairiya Ferdous, Sharmin Akter Supta, Sarmin Sultana, Sobhana Mostary, Shorna Akter, Ritu Moni, Fahima Khatun, Rabeya Khan, Marufa Akter, Sultana Khatun, Shanjida Akther Maghla.
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