Shafali Verma Knocks Out Bangladesh As India March Into Women's Asian Games Final

India Women march into Asian Games 2026 final [Source: @BCCIWomen/x]India Women marched into yet another Asian Games final after defeating Bangladesh in the second semifinal match at the Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin. Batting first, a century from Shafali Verma helped the defending champions mount a formidable total upfront. Here is a look at the highlights of the India Women vs Bangladesh Women second semifinal of the Asian Games Women’s Cricket Competition 2026.Shafali Verma flays Bangladesh attack with 49-ball tonWinning the toss and batting first, prolific Indian opener Smriti Mandhana clattered five boundaries and two huge sixes in her enterprising 19-ball 37. The legendary left-hander was eventually dismissed by Bangladesh spinner Nahida Akter at the end of the powerplay.After the 72-run opening partnership in just 36 balls, number three batter Gunalan Kamalini faced 10 deliveries to score just three before becoming Sanjida Akter Meghla’s lone victim of the day. Also Read- Chamari Athapaththu Scripts Sri Lanka's Highest Successful Chase In Asian Games 2026 SemifinalCaptain Harmanpreet Kaur at number four carved out 40 runs from 33 balls, and provided much assistance to blistering young opener Shafali Verma, with the two sharing 94 runs together for the third wicket. Shafali launched nine huge sixes and three boundaries to race to a thunderous 49-ball century, as India mounted 195-4 in 20 overs.Apart from Nahida and Sanjida, Bangladesh bowlers Marufa Akter and Rabeya Khan also chipped in with a wicket each.Nandani Sharma, Deepti Sharma skittle BangladeshChasing 196, Bangladesh Women opener Dilara Akter made 27 off 23 balls at the top of the order. However, she kept losing partners at the other end as Bangladesh crashed to 56-7 around the halfway stage of the innings.Apart from Dilara, only Sharmin Akter and Sultana Khatun managed to breach the double-digit mark, while captain Nigar Sultana struggled to get to her run-a-ball nine.Indian fast bowlers Kranti Gaud and Nandani Sharma both struck once with the new ball, with the latter of the two adding two more wickets to her tally to claim sensational figures of 3-25 in four overs.In-form Shree Charani picked up the important wickets of Sultana and Sharmin to secure figures of 2-7. Shreyanka Patil dismissed Shorna Akter, and senior spinner Deepti Sharma scythed through the Bangladesh tail with a sizzling three-fer (3-7).Following Deepti’s double burst in her third over, Bangladesh folded up for just 81 in 15.4 overs as Team India registered a comprehensive 114-run win in the second semifinal of the Women’s Asian Games T20 2026.India sets up date with Sri Lanka in Asian Games 2026 finalBy making lightwork of Bangladesh Women in the second semifinal, Team India set up yet another date with Sri Lanka Women, this time for the bragging rights of the Women’s Asian Games T20 2026.It is worth noting that both, India and Sri Lanka also crossed paths in another Asian event final just earlier this month, at the 2026 Women’s Asia Cup in Dubai. Moreover, India and Sri Lanka have faced each other in each of the last three Women’s Asia Cup finals, and also met back in late-2023 in the final of the previous Asian Games in China.With India dominating its recent final appearances, it remains to be seen if the ‘Women in Blue’ can replicate their success to clinch yet another Asian Games gold.Also Read- Potential BCCI Selection Chief For Juniors Joins Australian Team