Shafali Verma, Deepti Sharma Power India Into Women’s Asia Cup Final
Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail
India booked their place in the Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2026 final after defeating Bangladesh by 40 runs in the semi-final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Thursday.
A brilliant half-century from Shafali Verma and a three-wicket spell from Deepti Sharma helped India defend a total of 149/6. Bangladesh managed 109/7 in their 20 overs.
India, seven-time champions of the tournament, will now face the winner of the second semi-final between defending champions Sri Lanka and Pakistan in Sunday’s final.
Shafali Leads India’s Batting
Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana won the toss and elected to field, with her bowlers making an early impact.
India lost opener Smriti Mandhana for just two runs in the second over, leaving the team at 9/1.
Shafali Verma then joined forces with Pratika Rawal to rebuild the innings. The pair added 50 runs for the second wicket as India reached 45/1 at the end of the powerplay.
Rawal scored 20 from 24 balls before being dismissed by Rabeya Khan in the 10th over.
Shafali Scores 64 Off 40 Balls
Shafali continued to attack and brought up her half-century from 35 deliveries.
The Indian opener eventually fell in the 14th over after making an impressive 64 from 40 balls, including seven fours and three sixes.
Her innings took her tournament tally to 168 runs in four matches, making her India’s leading run-scorer in the 2026 Women’s Asia Cup.
India were 92/3 after Shafali’s dismissal before captain Harmanpreet Kaur and Richa Ghosh put together a 36-run partnership.
Richa scored 21 from 16 balls, including two sixes, before being stumped off Nahida Akter in the 19th over.
Deepti Sharma added a quick 13 from six deliveries, while Harmanpreet remained unbeaten on 24. India collected 53 runs from the final five overs to finish at 149/6.
Bangladesh Struggle in the Run Chase
Bangladesh started their chase cautiously and reached 26/1 during the powerplay.
India’s Shree Charani claimed the first wicket of the innings by dismissing Juairiya Ferdous for 14 in the sixth over.
Deepti Sharma then removed Dilara Akter for 21, reducing Bangladesh to 35/2.
Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana and Sobhana Mostary attempted to rebuild the innings, but the required run rate continued to increase.
At the halfway point, Bangladesh were only 46/2 and faced mounting pressure.
Deepti Sharma Takes Three Wickets
Deepti struck again in the 14th over when she bowled Sobhana Mostary for 18.
Prema Rawat dismissed Nigar Sultana for 19 in the following over, before Deepti claimed her third wicket by removing Sharmin Akhter.
The three-wicket haul took Deepti to 11 wickets in four matches in the tournament, making her India’s leading wicket-taker in the 2026 Women’s Asia Cup.
Bangladesh needed 52 runs from the final two overs, leaving them with an increasingly difficult task.
Nandani Sharma dismissed Fahima Khatun and Rabeya Khan from successive deliveries in the final over as Bangladesh ended their innings at 109/7. Shorna Akter remained unbeaten on 22.
Deepti finished with 3/26, while Nandani Sharma returned figures of 2/10. Charani and Rawat took one wicket each.
India Advance to the Final
India’s 40-run victory secured their place in the Women’s T20 Asia Cup final.
With a strong batting performance from Shafali and an effective bowling display led by Deepti, India successfully defended their total and continued their pursuit of another continental title.
Brief Score
India: 149/6 in 20 overs
Shafali Verma 64, Harmanpreet Kaur 24*; Sultana Khatun 2/30
Bangladesh: 109/7 in 20 overs
Shorna Akter 22*, Dilara Akter 21; Deepti Sharma 3/26, Nandani Sharma 2/10
Result: India won by 40 runs and qualified for the Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2026 final.
