Bangladesh Opts to Bowl First Against India in Women's T20 Asia Cup Semifinal

In a thrilling semifinal of the Women's T20 Asia Cup, Bangladesh's captain Nigar Sultana won the toss and opted to field against India. With India entering the match unbeaten, both captains shared their strategies and expectations. Nigar aimed to utilize the conditions for her bowlers, while Harmanpreet expressed confidence in her team's batting. The playing XI for both teams has been announced, setting the stage for an exciting clash. Discover more about the match dynamics and player insights.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 10, 2026, 20:24 IST

Match Overview

In the first semifinal of the Women's T20 Asia Cup held at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Bangladesh's captain Nigar Sultana won the toss and chose to field against India on Thursday. India, under the leadership of Harmanpreet Kaur, entered this knockout match with an unbeaten record in the group stage, while Bangladesh secured their semifinal spot by finishing second in Group B.

Captains' Insights

During the toss, Nigar Sultana explained her decision, stating that the team aimed to leverage the conditions for their bowlers to restrict India to a minimal score. She confirmed that they would maintain the same playing XI, saying, "We wanted to bowl first to give our bowlers the best chance. We aim to play well and execute our plans effectively. This could be our last game, but we are focused on performing well."

On the other hand, Harmanpreet expressed satisfaction with the toss outcome, indicating her preference to bat first. She emphasized the unpredictability of T20 matches, stating, "We were hoping to bat first and are pleased with the result. In T20 cricket, every team poses a threat. We will assess the powerplay and adjust our strategy accordingly."

Playing XI for Both Teams

India Women (Playing XI): Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana, Pratika Rawal, Harmanpreet Kaur(c), Deepti Sharma, Bharti Fulmali, Richa Ghosh(w), Prema Rawat, Shree Charani, Kranti Gaud, Nandani Sharma.

Bangladesh Women (Playing XI): Dilara Akter, Juairiya Ferdous, Sobhana Mostary, Nigar Sultana(w/c), Sharmin Akhter, Shorna Akter, Fahima Khatun, Nahida Akter, Rabeya Khan, Sultana Khatun, Marufa Akter.