A dominant bowling performance, spearheaded by Renuka Singh Thakur and Radha Yadav, propelled India into the final of the Asia Cup with a commanding ten-wicket win over Bangladesh. Renuka (3-10) and Radha (3-14) orchestrated a clinical display as Bangladesh were restricted to 80/8. India chased the target in just 11 overs, with Smriti Mandhana scoring a half-century in the modest chase, reports Live Cricket Score.
The Difference: India’s Bowling
India did not allow Bangladesh’s batters to settle after opting to bat first. Wickets fell in the powerplay, middle overs, and at the death, preventing Bangladesh from building any significant partnerships. India’s bowlers also stifled boundary opportunities, leaving Bangladesh with an insurmountable task as Mandhana and Shafali powered India into their ninth consecutive final in the Women’s Asia Cup (including ODIs).
BANGLADESH
Powerplay: Renuka Leaves Bangladesh in Early Trouble
Phase score: 25/3 [RR: 4.16, 4s/6s: 3/1]
Renuka wreaked havoc in the powerplay, striking in each of her overs. Dilara Akter, after hitting a six, fell, attempting the same shot again. Ishma Tanjim edged Renuka to short third man after hitting two fours. Murshida Khatun, despite being dropped by Deepti Sharma, couldn’t capitalize and was caught in the deep trying to pull Renuka. Regular wickets early on prevented Bangladesh from capitalizing on the powerplay.
Middle Overs: Regular Wickets Leave Bangladesh Reeling
Phase score: 24/3 [RR: 2.66, 4s/6s: 0/0]
Renuka completed her spell with a maiden in the seventh over, continuing the tight bowling effort. Radha struck in the 10th over, bowling Rumana Ahmed, leaving Bangladesh at 32/4 at the halfway mark. Rabeya Khan and Ritu Moni soon followed, falling to Pooja Vastrakar and Deepti Sharma, respectively, reducing Bangladesh to 44/6.
Death Overs: Radha’s Strikes Restrict Bangladesh
Phase score: 31/2 [RR: 6.2, 4s/6s: 3/0]
Bangladesh crossed 50 in the 16th over. Shorna Akter edged Radha for a four in the 17th, the first boundary in over 11 overs. Deepti bowled an economical 18th, conceding only 5 runs. Shorna and Nigar Sultana hit a four each off Vastrakar, but Radha’s brilliant final over, including the dismissals of Sultana (32 off 51) and Nahida Akter, kept Bangladesh to a paltry total.
INDIA
Powerplay: Openers Power India’s Quick Start
Phase score: 46/0 [RR: 7.66, 4s/6s: 6/1]
India’s chase began briskly, surpassing 55 percent of the target within the powerplay. Mandhana hit a four off Marufa Akter, while Shafali found the boundary off Nahida. Both batters struck boundaries off Marufa in the third over before Mandhana hit the first six, pulling Jahanara Alam. Mandhana continued her aggressive approach with two more fours off Nahida, ensuring a profitable powerplay for India.
Middle Overs: Mandhana Finishes the Chase Early
Phase score: 37/0 [RR: 7.5, 4s/6s: 5/0]
Mandhana, after striking a four off Jahanara in the 8th over, survived a catch as the bowler had overstepped. She hit another four off Rabeya Khan before Shafali got a reprieve. The chase concluded in the 11th over when Mandhana hit three consecutive fours off Nahida, with the second boundary bringing up her 38-ball fifty.
Brief Scores:
Bangladesh 80/8 (Nigar Sultana 32; Renuka Singh Thakur 3-10, Radha Yadav 3-14) lost to India 83/0 in 11 overs (Smriti Mandhana 55*, Shafali Verma 26*) by 10 wickets.
