The question left open by Tuesday's preview — whether India's middle order could hold up if Bangladesh forced a real contest — never really got tested. India beat Bangladesh by 40 runs in the first semi-final of the Women's Asia Cup 2026 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, extending an unbeaten run through the tournament into a sixth successive final in six editions of the competition.
Shafali Verma top-scored with 64 off 40 balls, hitting seven fours and three sixes, in an innings that survived four reprieves — dropped on 6, 11, 50 and 56 — from a Bangladesh fielding side that could not make its chances count. Harmanpreet Kaur added an unbeaten 24 off 28 balls, and Deepti Sharma provided a late blitz of 13 off six deliveries as India posted 149 for 6 in their 20 overs. Bangladesh's reply never got close: restricted by India's spin attack, they were bowled out for 109 for 7, with Deepti Sharma the pick of the bowlers at 3 for 26. Shafali was named Player of the Match.
The win means India have now reached the final in every edition of the Women's T20 Asia Cup played so far, a run of six straight finals that stretches back to the tournament's inception. It also keeps intact India's unbeaten record through this year's tournament, which has included a group-stage win over Pakistan by bowling them out for a record-low 55 and Smriti Mandhana's record-breaking 124 against Hong Kong.
As in most of India's wins this tournament, the difference was made at the top of the order rather than through a chase under real pressure — Bangladesh's bowlers created four clear chances against Shafali and converted none of them, and once that opening didn't cost India the game, Bangladesh's own batting order (built around late-order contributions rather than a settled top three) was never likely to reel in 150 against India's spin. The one open question from the preview — how India's middle order copes if early wickets fall — again went unanswered, which means Bangladesh's semi-final defeat, while comprehensive on the scoreboard, doesn't actually resolve it either way.
India now wait on the winner of the second semi-final between Sri Lanka and Pakistan, played later on September 11, with the final scheduled for September 13 in Dubai. Live scores and updates are tracked on SportGod's live matches page, with AI match predictions and fantasy contests available in SportGod's free games.
Match figures, dismissals and the tournament record are verified against same-day match coverage from Dubai, current as of September 11, 2026.
Try Sport God AI live
Live scores, AI predictions, and fantasy — free during IPL 2026.