Bangladesh Reach T20 Asia Cup Semi-Final After 34-Run Win- IPL

Bangladesh reached the Women’s T20 Asia Cup semi-final after beating UAE by 34 runs in Dubai. They defended a small total with a strong bowling display. Bangladesh were in trouble at 55 for 6 after choosing to bat first. Sharmin Akhter then played a calm innings of 38 to help them reach 103 for 9.

UAE spinner Suraksha Kotte caused major problems for the Bangladesh batters. She finished with 3 for 11 and kept the scoring under control. Kotte gave the ball plenty of flight and bowled away from the batters. Dilara Akter hit one of those deliveries straight to Esha Oza at cover in the first over.

Sobhana Mostary fell in a similar fashion in the third over. She could not get under the ball and sliced it to mid-off. Kotte completed her first three powerplay overs for just seven runs. She returned in the 11th over and dismissed Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana, who made 23. Kotte bowled a low full toss around off and took a good low catch. Sixteen of her 24 balls were dot deliveries.

Sharmin Helps Bangladesh Recover

Sharmin played her first match of the Asia Cup after replacing Ritu Moni in the XI. She arrived with Bangladesh at 37 for 3 and later saw the score fall to 55 for 6. The experienced batter took time to settle. She was on 13 off 13 balls before changing her approach after the 13th over.

A cover drive against Indhuja Nandakumar helped Sharmin find her rhythm. She then hit two boundaries off Esha Oza and added 42 runs with Nahida Akter for the seventh wicket.

Marufa Leads the Bowling Attack

Marufa Akter gave Bangladesh an excellent start with the ball. She removed Oza with an inswinger from only her fourth delivery. She then dismissed Samaira Dharnidharka with a cross-seam delivery. The ball took the outside edge and went through to the wicketkeeper. Marufa bowled three overs for only six runs during her first spell. She returned in the ninth over and finished with 2 for 9 from four overs.

Sultana Khatun kept the pressure on with her offspin. UAE reached only 34 for 3 after 10 overs. Theertha Sathish was dismissed in the 11th over, putting Bangladesh firmly ahead. Nahida Akter, who had scored 16 with the bat, then took two wickets.

Rabeya Khan added three more wickets as UAE lost wickets regularly. The chase never gained speed, with UAE recording 70 dot balls. UAE finished on 69 for 9 in 20 overs. Bangladesh won by 34 runs and secured second place in the group. Bangladesh will now face India in the first semi-final on Thursday. The bowlers will take confidence from their performance as they prepare for the last-four clash.

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