In the final of the Women’s Asia Cup Rising Stars tournament, held in Bangkok, Bangladesh ‘A’ face a challenging but attainable target of 135 against India ‘A’. The match, played at the Terdthai Cricket Ground, saw India ‘A’ post 134 for 7 after opting to bat first upon winning the toss.
Bangladesh’s bowlers delivered a disciplined and tactically astute performance, particularly during the powerplay, where they successfully curtailed India’s scoring opportunities. At the end of the first six overs, India ‘A’ had managed only 32 runs for the loss of one wicket, reflecting Bangladesh’s early control over proceedings.
The breakthrough came in the sixth over when left-arm spinner Fatema Jahan dismissed opener Dinesh Vrinda for 19, halting India’s initial momentum. The pressure intensified in the following over, as pacer Farzana Yasmin struck immediately. A mix-up led to Nandini Kashyap being run out for 8, and on the very next delivery, Minnu Mani departed for a duck, caught behind. At the halfway stage, India were struggling at 53 for 4.
Captain Fahima Khatun, leading from the front with her leg-spin, played a pivotal role in maintaining Bangladesh’s dominance. She removed Anushka Sharma for 8 in the ninth over and continued to trouble the Indian middle order with her variations and control.
However, India ‘A’ staged a recovery through a crucial 69-run partnership for the fifth wicket between captain Radha Yadav and Tejal Hasabnis. Their stand stabilised the innings and shifted some momentum back towards India. Radha contributed a composed 36 before being dismissed in the 17th over, with the team total at 113 for 5. Just two balls later, Fahima struck again to remove Tanuja Kanwar, reinforcing her impact on the match.
In the closing stages, India added 41 runs in the final five overs despite losing three wickets. Tejal Hasabnis remained unbeaten on an impressive 51 off 34 deliveries, anchoring the innings effectively. She was given a reprieve in the final over when a straightforward catch was dropped, allowing her to finish strongly.
Bangladesh also impressed in the field, with several sharp catches and athletic efforts. Notably, Farzana Yasmin executed a remarkable diving catch near the boundary to dismiss Prema Rawat, alongside another excellent take to remove Radha Yadav.
Fahima Khatun emerged as the standout performer with the ball, finishing with figures of 4 for 25. Both Fatema Jahan and Farzana Yasmin chipped in with a wicket each, ensuring India were restricted to a manageable total.
Match Summary
| Team | Overs | Score | Key Batters | Key Bowlers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India ‘A’ | 20 | 134/7 | Tejal 51*, Radha 36, Dinesh 19 | Fahima 4/25, Fatema 1/19, Farzana 1/30 |
With the title at stake, Bangladesh ‘A’ will now need a composed and calculated batting effort to chase down 135. The final promises a compelling contest, where temperament and execution under pressure are likely to determine the eventual champions.