The first semi-final match was played between India and Bangladesh today in the Women’s Asia Cup 2024, where the Indian team achieved the target of 81 runs given by Bangladesh without losing any wicket. With this win, the Men in Blue have reached the final of the Women’s Asia Cup for the 9th time. Renuka Singh was awarded the Player of the Match award for her brilliant bowling.

Tight bowling by Renuka and Radha

Earlier in the match, Bangladesh won the toss and decided to bat first. However, their decision backfired and the team’s batsmen could not do much. The team could score only 80 runs in 20 overs. In the very first over, Renuka Thakur sent Dilara Akhtar to the pavilion. Dilara hit a six on the third ball of the over, but on the next ball, Renuka gave a strong blow.

After this, Renuka Thakur spoiled Bangladesh’s start by taking back-to-back wickets in her next overs. Apart from this, Radha Yadav, Pooja Vastrakar and Deepti Sharma also bowled tightly. The situation was such that Bangladesh’s team could not cross the 50 mark even in 15 overs. Captain Nigar Sultan was seen struggling for the team. She scored 32 runs in 51 balls. At the same time, Shorna Akhtar remained unbeaten after scoring 19 runs.

For India, Renuka Thakur Singh and Radha Yadav took three wickets each in their four-over spell. While Pooja Vastrakar and Deepti Sharma took 1 wicket each.

The opening pair brought victory

In response, the Indian team’s openers batted brilliantly. Shefali Verma and Smriti Mandhana took the team to the target in 11 overs without losing any wicket and thus the Indian team confirmed its place in the final.

Both the openers took the team’s score to 50 in just 7.1 overs, after which the Bangladesh bowlers had no chance to make a comeback. Meanwhile, Mandhana completed her half-century. She played an unbeaten innings of 55 runs in 39 balls, which included 9 fours and a six. Apart from this, Shefali scored an unbeaten 26 runs in 28 balls.