Bangladesh’s Asian Games run ends in heavy loss to India

Bangladesh’s Asian Games women’s cricket campaign ended with a heavy 114-run defeat to India in Sunday’s semifinal at the Nishinomiya Koro Sports Park.

Chasing India’s imposing 195 for four, Bangladesh were bowled out for just 81 in 15.4 overs, never threatening to stay in the contest after losing wickets at regular intervals.

Opener Dilara Akter was Bangladesh’s top scorer with 27 off 23 balls, hitting four fours and a six. Sultana Khatun remained unbeaten on 12, while Sharmin Akhter was the only other batter to reach double figures. India’s Deepti Sharma and Nandini Sharma took three wickets each.

Earlier, Shafali Verma produced a stunning innings to put India in control. She smashed 100 off 49 balls, including three fours and nine sixes, reaching her maiden T20I century from the final delivery of the innings. Harmanpreet Kaur added 40 off 33 balls.

Shafali also became India’s leading six-hitter in women’s T20Is during the innings. Smriti Mandhana, who scored 37, meanwhile became the leading run-scorer in women’s T20I history, overtaking New Zealand’s Suzie Bates’ tally of 4,758 runs.

The defeat ended Bangladesh’s hopes of reaching the gold-medal match. They had advanced to the semifinals after their quarterfinal against China was abandoned without a ball being bowled because of rain, with Bangladesh progressing as the higher-ranked side.

India will face Sri Lanka in Tuesday’s final after Sri Lanka beat Pakistan in the other semifinal.