Bangladesh 103 for seven (Sharmin 38, Kotte 3-11) beat UAE 69 for nine (Rabeya 3-14, Marufa 2-9) by 34 runs
Bangladesh secured a semi‑final berth in the Women’s T20 Asia Cup with a 34‑run victory over the UAE in a low‑scoring clash in Dubai. Sharmin Akhter’s steady 38‑run innings helped Bangladesh recover from 55 for six, while Marufa Akter’s new‑ball swing and disciplined spin bowling kept the UAE under pressure throughout their chase of 104.
The winner will face India in the first semi‑final on Thursday.
Kotte’s Dream Spell
Suraksha Kotte led the UAE’s bowling attack, taking three wickets for just 11 runs to keep Bangladesh subdued. Her plan was to flight the ball and move it away from the batswomen, a strategy that Bangladesh struggled to counter. She removed Dilara Akter in the first over, catching a lofted delivery at cover, and dismissed Sobhana Mostary in the third over with a similar delivery that was sliced to mid‑off.
Kotte’s spell restricted Bangladesh to just seven runs in her initial three power‑play overs. Returning in the 11th over, she broke the innings again, bowling a low full toss around off‑stick and effecting a low catch to dismiss the Bangladesh captain. Sixteen of her 24 deliveries were dot balls.
Sharmin Leads Bangladesh’s Recovery
Sharmin Akhter anchored Bangladesh’s comeback. It was her first match of the Asia Cup after replacing Ritu Moni. Coming in at 37 for three, she saw the innings slip to 55 for six after the dismissal of Nigar Sultana for 23. However, drawing on 15 years of international experience, Sharmin played a measured innings to lift Bangladesh to a competitive total.
She assessed the pitch early, scoring 13 off 13 balls before accelerating after the 13th over. A cover drive off Indhuja Nandakumar changed the momentum, and she followed with back‑to‑back boundaries against Esha Oza. She then combined with Nahida Akter for a crucial 42‑run seventh‑wicket partnership that revived Bangladesh’s innings.
Marufa and Spinners Keep UAE in Check
Marufa Akter’s swing bowling troubled the UAE from the outset. In just four balls she removed the UAE captain, Esha Oza, with an inswinger and then dismissed Samaira Dharnidharka with a cross‑seam delivery that clipped the outside edge to the keeper. Her three overs cost only six runs, leaving the UAE at 15 for two at the end of the power‑play. Returning in the ninth over, Marufa finished with impressive figures of 4 for 9.
At the other end, Sultana Khatun used her off‑spin to apply pressure. The UAE reached 34 for three after ten overs, but Theertha Sathish’s dismissal in the next over handed Bangladesh control. Nahida Akter, who contributed 16 runs, then took two wickets to tighten the squeeze, while Rabeya Khan added three wickets. The UAE could manage only 69 for nine, finishing with 70 dot balls and struggling to accelerate.
Bangladesh’s bowlers dominated throughout the innings, celebrating their collective effort with a shared wicket celebration—placing a finger to the lips while raising the other hand.
