Bangladesh secured a place in the semifinals of the Women's Asia Cup 2026 after defeating the UAE by 34 runs at the Dubai International Stadium on Tuesday. Bangladesh will face India in the first semifinal on September 10 in Dubai, while Pakistan and Sri Lanka will meet in the second semifinal on September 11.
Batting first, Bangladesh scored 103 runs for 7 wickets in their allotted 20 overs. In reply, the UAE managed 69 runs for 9 wickets in 20 overs, giving Bangladesh a 34-run victory and a place in the last four.
The UAE bowlers kept Bangladesh's batters under pressure from the start in the low-scoring contest. Bangladesh, however, added crucial runs in the final overs to cross the 100-run mark. Its bowlers then restricted the UAE from reaching the target.
Bangladesh made a difficult start, losing six wickets for 55 runs. Sharmin Akhter then took responsibility and scored 38 runs off 31 balls.
Captain Nigar Sultana also contributed 23 runs from 28 balls. The two innings helped Bangladesh recover from a difficult position. Sharmin then added 42 runs with Nahida Akter for the seventh wicket.
Nahida remained unbeaten on 16 from 26 balls. The partnership helped Bangladesh reach 103 for 7 in 20 overs. At one stage, reaching 100 appeared uncertain, but the lower-order batters made important contributions.
UAE off-spinner Suraksha Kotte kept sustained pressure on Bangladesh's batting. She took 3 wickets for just 11 runs in her 4-over spell.
Kotte's spell included 16 dot balls. She took two Bangladesh wickets during the powerplay before dismissing captain Nigar Sultana.
Bangladesh's batters struggled to score freely against the UAE bowling attack. However, the partnership between Sharmin and Nahida in the final overs helped the team reach 103.
Chasing 104, the UAE also made a difficult start. Fast bowler Marufa Akter provided Bangladesh with early breakthroughs with the new ball.
Marufa dismissed captain Esha Oza and Samaira Dharanidharka. She finished with 2 wickets for 9 runs in 4 overs. At the end of the powerplay, the UAE were 15 for 2.
Bangladesh's spin bowlers then increased the pressure on the UAE batters. The scoring rate continued to fall and the UAE remained well short of the target.
Rabea Khan was Bangladesh's most successful bowler, taking 3 wickets. Nahida Akter also took 2 wickets and played a key role in restricting the UAE innings.
The UAE innings featured a total of 70 dot balls, limiting the team's scoring opportunities.
For the UAE, Heena Hotchandani top-scored with 18 runs. She did not receive sufficient support at the other end as the UAE finished on 69 for 9 in 20 overs.
With the victory over the UAE, Bangladesh will now face India in the semifinal. The first semifinal will be played at the Dubai International Stadium on September 10, starting at 8 pm Indian time.
India topped Group A after winning all three of its matches and advanced directly to the last four.
In their previous match, India bowled Pakistan out for just 55 runs and secured a 7-wicket victory. Earlier, India defeated Hong Kong by 137 runs.
Smriti Mandhana has been among the key performers for India in the tournament. Against Hong Kong, she scored 124 runs from 64 balls.
With that innings, Mandhana became the highest run-scorer in women's international cricket. Her performance also played an important role in India's big victory.
India's Deepti Sharma and Shafali Verma also set records during the tournament.
Deepti Sharma surpassed Thailand's Thipatcha Putthawong to become the leading wicket-taker in women's T20 international cricket.
Shafali Verma, meanwhile, reached 3,000 runs in women's T20 internationals. She became one of the youngest and fastest players to reach the milestone.
Alongside these individual records, India has maintained its performance in the tournament. The team will now face Bangladesh in the semifinal for a place in the final.
The second semifinal will be played between Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The match will take place at the Dubai International Stadium on September 11 at 8 pm Indian time.
Pakistan reached the last four after defeating Hong Kong by 72 runs. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, finished top of Group B and remain unbeaten in the tournament.
Sri Lanka defeated Bangladesh by 4 wickets during the group stage.
With the semifinal line-up confirmed, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka remain in contention for the Women's Asia Cup 2026 title.
India and Bangladesh will meet in the first semifinal, while Pakistan will face Sri Lanka in the second. The winners of both semifinals will meet in the final for the title.
