The second semi-final of the women’s cricket event in the Asian Games 2026 is being played between India and Bangladesh. Both the teams are facing each other at Korogi Sports Park. India has given a target of 196 runs. India scored 195 runs for four wickets in the stipulated 20 overs. Shefali Verma remained unbeaten after scoring 100 runs in 49 balls. He hit three fours and 9 sixes. This is his first century in T20I. Bharti Phulmali scored unbeaten 9 runs in 5 balls. India got off to a good start after winning the toss. India’s score in powerplay was 72/1. Smriti Mandhana was out on the last ball of the sixth over. He was dismissed by Nahida Akhtar. Mandhana scored 37 runs in 19 balls with the help of five fours and two sixes. Mandhana (4788) has become the highest run scorer in Women’s T20 International cricket. She broke the world record of former New Zealand all-rounder Suzie Bates (4758). Gunalan Kamalini could score only 3 runs. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur contributed 40 runs in 33 balls with six fours. She made a partnership of 94 runs with Shefali for the third wicket. Richa Ghosh scored two runs in 4 balls.
India 195/4 (20 overs)*
India’s playingI: Smriti Mandhana, Shefali Verma, Bharti Phulmali, Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Richa Ghosh (wicketkeeper), Gunalan Kamalini, Dipti Sharma, Shreyanka Patil, Sri Charni, Nandini Sharma, Kranti Goud.
Bangladesh playing XI: Dilara Akhtar, Zuaria Firdous, Sobhana Mostari, Nigar Sultana (WK/Captain), Sharna Akhtar, Sharmin Akhtar, Shanjeeda Akhtar Meghla, Rabeya Khan, Nahida Akhtar, Marufa Akhtar, Sultana Khatoon.
India is eyeing to maintain this attitude
The Indian team, captained by Harmanpreet Kaur, would like to maintain its aggressive attitude in the semi-finals on Sunday. India reached the last four by defeating host Japan by eight wickets in the quarter-finals on Friday. India is the defending champion of the Asian Games women’s cricket. Bangladesh entered the semi-finals on the basis of its better ICC ranking after its quarter-final match against China was abandoned due to a wet field. If India wins the semi-finals then it will face Sri Lanka in the final. Sri Lanka defeated Pakistan in the first semi-final held at this ground.
India also defeated in the last Asian Games
The Indian women’s cricket team also faced Bangladesh in the semi-finals of the Asian Games held in Hangzhou, China in the year 2023. India then defeated Bangladesh by eight wickets. India has won nine consecutive matches against Bangladesh in T20 cricket. This streak started with a semi-final win at Hangzhou 2023. India defeated Bangladesh by 40 runs in the Women’s Asia Cup last week. In the semi-finals, India will once again expect an excellent performance from young spinner Shri Charani. In the quarter-finals against Japan, he took full advantage of the turning and bouncy pitch and took four wickets for 10 runs.
Mandhana on the threshold of creating history
India’s star opener Smriti Mandhana is on the threshold of creating history. She needs only 9 runs to become the highest run scorer in women’s T20 cricket. At present, New Zealand’s Suzie Bates is ahead of her. At the same time, Bangladesh team will depend on its spinners to put pressure on India. If Bangladesh has to put pressure on the Indian batsmen, then bowlers like Nahida Akhtar and Rabia Khan will have to perform well. They will look to take advantage of any help they get from the pitch and keep India’s aggressive top order under control.
Indian team: Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Smriti Mandhana (vice-captain), Shefali Verma, Dipti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (wicketkeeper), Radha Yadav, Nandini Sharma, G Kamalini (wicketkeeper), Shreyanka Patil, Sri Charni, Renuka Thakur, Kranti Goud, Arundhati Reddy, Bharti Phulmali.
Bangladesh team: Nigar Sultana (captain), Nahida Akhtar (vice-captain), Dilara Akhtar, Sharmin Akhtar, Shorna Akhtar, Sultana Khatoon, Fahima Khatoon, Fariha Trisna, Zuaria Firdous, Marufa Akhtar, Sobhana Mostori, Rabia Khan, Ritu Moni, Sanjeeda Akhtar Meghla, Sarmin Sultana.