The India women's cricket team reached the final of the ACC Women's Asia Cup 2024 defeating Bangladesh by 10 wickets at Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium in Sri Lanka on Friday.
Winning the toss, Bangladesh opted to bat first but managed only 80 runs for eight wickets in the stipulated 20 overs after a dreadful batting display. The top three batters Dilara Akter (6), Murshida Khatun (4) and Ishma Tanjim (8) were dismissed early leading to a collapse from which Bangladesh couldn't recover. Skipper Nigar Sultana Joty's 32 was the lone notable score, while Shorna Akter's late cameo of 19 off 18 balls was the only other double-digit contribution. The rest of the batters scored 1, 1, 5, 0 and 0 respectively.
Indian opening bowler Renuka Singh was the main destroyer taking the wickets of all three top-order batters within the powerplay overs as Bangladesh managed to score just 25 runs in the first six overs. Renuka conceded only 10 runs in her three-over spell and was named the Player of the Match. Radha Yadav also claimed three wickets, with Pooja Vastrakar and Deepti Sharma sharing the remaining wickets.
Chasing the modest target of 81 runs, the experienced Indian opening pair of Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma ensured that Bangladesh's bowlers couldn't create any damage. Mandhana remained unbeaten on 55 runs, while Verma scored 26 not out as India reached 83 for no loss at the end of 11 overs.
