Bangladesh finally get the test they came for against India 

Bangladesh's Asian Games campaign finally has a cricket match to define it.
After reaching the women's semi-finals without facing a single delivery, the Tigresses will now meet defending champions India on September 20, with a place in the gold-medal match at stake.

Bangladesh's quarter-final against China was abandoned because of rain and a wet outfield in Nisshin, Japan. Their higher T20I ranking sent them through to the last four, but it also left the team without any competitive cricket since arriving at the Games.

India took the other route.

They had to play their quarter-final against hosts Japan on Friday and made short work of it. Japan were bowled out for 57 in 19.5 overs, with left-arm spinner Sree Charani taking four wickets for 10 runs. India then reached 59 for two in only five overs, Shafali Verma finishing unbeaten on 40 from 15 balls.

That result has created an intriguing contrast before Sunday's semi-final.

Bangladesh have had more time to rest, but almost no match practice. India, meanwhile, have already gone through a competitive knockout game and come into the meeting after a commanding performance.

The teams also know each other well. Their most recent meeting came in the semi-finals of the Women's Asia Cup, where India won by 40 runs. Bangladesh's campaign in that tournament ended there, but the experience of facing a full-strength Indian side could be useful in another high-pressure game.

This time, however, the setting is different. There is no group-stage calculation and no room to recover from defeat.
For Bangladesh, the biggest challenge may be finding their rhythm quickly. Their preparation in Japan has already been disrupted by rain, and the China quarter-final offered no opportunity to test batting combinations, bowling plans or fielding under match pressure.

India, on the other hand, have already seen their bowlers operate and their top order finish a chase.

The Tigresses nevertheless enter the semi-final with a clear opportunity: one strong performance can put them into the Asian Games final and within one win of another gold-medal opportunity.

After reaching the last four without playing, Bangladesh now face the part of the tournament that cannot be decided by rankings or weather.

They finally have to play.