Pacer Renuka Singh Thakur delivered an early breakthrough with a three-wicket haul while Smriti Mandhana scored a brisk fifty as India trounced Bangladesh by 10 wickets in the semi-final at the Dambulla International Stadium in Sri Lanka on Friday.
Defending champions India will now face the winner of the second semi-final between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in what will be their ninth final appearance in the Women’s Asia Cup.
Chasing a modest total of 81, Shafali Verma (26*) and Mandhana (55*) were in command from the start, and effortlessly finished at 83 for no loss in 11 overs.
Mandhana and Verma propelled India to 46/0 during the powerplay.
Earlier, Thakur (3/10) and left-arm spinner Radha Yadav (3/14) dominated with excellent spells, leaving Bangladesh struggling from the start.
Thakur’s four-over spell, with support from Yadav, dismantled Bangladesh for 80/8 in 20 overs after they elected to bat first.
Thakur struck in the first over, dismissing Dilara Akter, followed by Ishma Tanjim and Murshida Khatun in quick succession, reducing Bangladesh to 25/3 inside the powerplay.
Skipper Nigar Sultana (32), the tournament’s third-highest run-getter, tried to anchor the innings but found little support.
A late 36-run partnership between Sultana and Shorna Akter came a little too late to change the course of the match.
Buy an annual Scroll Membership to support independent journalism and get special benefits.
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!