Daijiworld Media Network - Dubai
Dubai, Sep 9: Seven-time champions India will look to find greater batting stability, particularly in the middle order, when they face a spirited Bangladesh in the Women's Asia Cup semi-final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Thursday.
The winner will book a place in Sunday's title clash. India have dominated Bangladesh in recent years, winning their last eight T20I meetings. However, memories of the 2018 Asia Cup, when Bangladesh stunned India twice on their way to a historic maiden title, including a victory in the final, remain a reminder of their ability to upset the heavyweights.
India, who topped Group A, enter the contest as firm favourites, but their batting line-up has shown occasional vulnerability. Bangladesh, who finished second in Group B, will look to exploit those weaknesses.
A collapse of eight wickets for 46 runs against Thailand earlier in the tournament highlighted India's continuing middle-order concerns. The problem had also hurt India during their recent T20 World Cup campaign, when they failed to qualify for the semi-finals.
Bangladesh have their own batting concerns, but in-form pacer Marufa Akter has taken a wicket in her opening spell in every match of this tournament and boasts an impressive economy rate of 3.27. Her ability to move the new ball could pose a major threat to India's top order comprising in-form Smriti Mandhana, explosive opener Shafali Verma and Pratika Rawal.
Pratika, who has filled in at No. 3 for the injured Jemimah Rodrigues, has scored 36 runs across three innings at a strike rate of 109.09. The high-stakes semi-final offers her an opportunity to make a defining contribution against Bangladesh.
Smriti also needs 69 more runs to become the leading run-scorer in women's T20Is. She has already become the leading run-getter in women's international cricket and the leading century-maker after her memorable 124 against Hong Kong.
In Dubai's spin-friendly conditions, India's bowling attack has been exceptional. Their spinners have taken 21 wickets at a tournament-best average of 4.42. Left-arm spinner N Sree Charani has been particularly effective, taking 21 wickets in her last eight T20Is.
Teams batting first have won eight of the 12 matches played so far. Evening temperatures exceeding 35 degrees Celsius will further add to the physical demands of the knockout clash, where the batting order that handles the pressure best could determine the outcome.
When: Thursday, September 10, 8:00 p.m. IST
Where: Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai
**Where to watch:** The match will be telecast live on Sony Sports Ten 1 SD and HD channels. Live streaming will be available on the Sony LIV app and website.
Squads
India: Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Smriti Mandhana (vice-captain), Shafali Verma, Bharti Fulmali, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (wk), G Kamalini (wk), Arundhati Reddy, Prema Rawat, Radha Yadav, N Sree Charani, Renuka Singh Thakur, Nandni Sharma, Kranti Gaud and Pratika Rawal.
Bangladesh: Nigar Sultana Joty (captain), Nahida Akter (vice-captain), Dilara Akter, Farjana Easmin, Juairiya Ferdous, Sharmin Akter Supta, Sarmin Sultana, Sobhana Mostary, Shorna Akter, Ritu Moni, Fahima Khatun, Rabeya Khan, Marufa Akter, Sultana Khatun and Shanjida Akther Maghla.