Bangladesh Set 135 in Final

In the Women’s Asia Cup Rising Stars final in Bangkok, Bangladesh ‘A’ were set a competitive target of 135 by India ‘A’ after a disciplined bowling display restricted their opponents to 134 for 7 in 20 overs at the Terdthai Cricket Ground.

Having won the toss and elected to bat, India ‘A’ began cautiously under pressure from a tight Bangladeshi attack. The new-ball bowlers ensured there was little freedom in the Powerplay, limiting India to 32 for 1 in the first six overs. The breakthrough came in the sixth over when left-arm spinner Fatemah Jahan dismissed opener Dinesh Vrinda for 19, ending a tentative start.

Momentum swung further in Bangladesh’s favour in the following over. Seamer Farzana Yasmin was immediately in the thick of the action: Nandini Kashyap was run out for 8 off the first delivery, and Minu Mani fell for a duck on the very next ball, caught in the infield. At 53 for 4 after 10 overs, India ‘A’ were in clear difficulty.

The pressure was sustained by Bangladesh captain Fahima Khatun, whose leg-spin proved decisive. She removed Anushka Sharma for 8 in the ninth over and consistently broke partnerships just as they threatened to develop. However, a crucial recovery effort emerged through a fifth-wicket stand between captain Radha Yadav and Tejal Hasabnis.

The pair added 69 runs, stabilising the innings and rotating the strike astutely while punishing loose deliveries. Radha contributed a composed 36 before falling in the 17th over with the score at 113 for 5. Two balls later, Tanuzha Kanwar was also dismissed by Fahima, underlining the captain’s influence on the match.

In the closing overs, India ‘A’ managed to gather 41 runs despite losing three wickets. Tejal Hasabnis remained unbeaten on 51 from 34 balls, anchoring the innings with controlled aggression. She was afforded a reprieve in the final over when a straightforward catch was put down by Sharmin, allowing India to push beyond 130 — a total that could yet prove significant in a final.

Bangladesh’s fielding, however, was largely sharp and energetic. Farzana Yasmin produced one of the moments of the match with a full-length diving catch near the boundary to dismiss Prema Rawat in the 19th over. She also held a well-judged catch to remove Radha earlier in the innings.

India ‘A’ Innings Summary

Bangladesh ‘A’ Bowling Figures

A target of 135 in a T20 final is by no means insurmountable, yet it demands composure and intelligent shot selection. Much will depend on Bangladesh’s top order providing a steady platform while managing India’s spin threat in the middle overs. With Fahima having led superbly in the field, the stage is now set for her side’s batters to complete the task and claim the Rising Stars crown.