Dubai — Shafali Verma's explosive 64 off just 40 balls and a ruthless bowling display carried India to a 40-run victory over Bangladesh in the Women's Asia Cup semifinal in Dubai, booking their place in yet another final.

Asked to bat first after Bangladesh won the toss, India posted a competitive 149/7, with Shafali providing the early impetus at the top of the order. She struck seven fours and three sixes in a charmed innings, surviving three dropped catches and a straightforward run-out chance along the way — but it helped India accumulate precious runs against the hard new ball as batting grew progressively tougher on a surface that slowed as the match wore on.

Shafali leads after early wobble

India got off to a shaky start when Smriti Mandhana departed for just 2 early. Shafali then combined with Pratika Rawal in a 50-run second-wicket stand to steady the innings. Rawal made 20 off 24 before she was caught at cover attempting to take on Rabeya Khan, leaving India at 58/2.

Shafali, however, continued to attack. She reached her fifty from 35 balls — her 20th in the format — and then accelerated, smashing a six and two fours in the 14th over before finally falling for 64, caught at deep mid-wicket off Sultana Khatun.

With India at 92/3 after 14 overs, the lower order needed to provide a strong finish. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur made only six from her first 18 balls as Bangladesh's spinners kept her quiet, but she found another gear late in the innings, scoring 18 from her next 10 deliveries to finish unbeaten on 24 off 28. Richa Ghosh added a useful 21 off 16, while Deepti Sharma's late cameo of 13 from six balls — including a four and a six — pushed India towards the 150 mark.

India plundered 53 runs in the final five overs after managing only 51 in the previous nine, setting a challenging target that proved beyond Bangladesh's reach.

Deepti, spinners strangle the chase

Bangladesh made a steady start, reaching 26 without loss in the sixth over before Shree Charani broke the opening stand by dismissing Juairiya Ferdous for 14. Deepti Sharma then ripped through the middle order, picking three of the next four wickets to fall and denying Bangladesh any momentum.

The lower order managed a few late boundaries, but the asking rate had climbed beyond their grasp. Nandni Sharma returned for the final over and finished the innings with two wickets, including a hit-wicket dismissal of Rabeya Khan, as Bangladesh were restricted to 109/7.

Brief Scores: India 149/6 (Shafali Verma 64; Sultana Khatun 2-30) beat Bangladesh 109/7 (Shorna Akter 22*; Deepti Sharma 3-26) by 40 runs.