Shafali's three lives sink Bangladesh in Women's Asia Cup semifinal

Bangladesh paid the price of poor fielding as they were comprehensively beaten by India in a one-sided semifinal of the Women’s Asia Cup, losing the tie by 40 runs at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Thursday.

Chasing 150, Bangladesh finished on 109-7 in their 20 overs with Shorna Akter top-scoring with an unbeaten 22 off 18 balls. Right-arm off-spinner Deepti Sharma led the Indian attack, picking up 3-26, while pacer Nandani Sharma took two wickets in the final over.

Earlier, Shafali Verma’s 64 off 40 powered India to 149-6 after being sent to bat first. But Shafali owed her innings to the Bangladesh fielders, as the opener was dropped thrice on her way to a half-century.

She was dropped twice in the Powerplay, first by Fahima Khatun in the second over when she was on six, then in the third over by Nahida Akter on 11.

The 22-year-old completed her fifty off 35 balls before receiving a third life in the 14th over, this time Shorna grassing an easy chance when she was on 56.

Her knock finally came to an end two balls later, with substitute fielder Farjana Easmin taking the catch.

She was Sultana Khatun’s second wicket, and the off-spinner finished as the most successful Bangladeshi bowler of the match.

Star pacer Marufa Akter had an off-day, as she went for 40 in her four overs while taking the lone wicket of Deepti (13 off six balls).

Bangladesh’s chase never got going.

The Tigresses reached just 26-1 at the end of the Powerplay and never looked like chasing down the target from then on.

None of the batters could take on the Indian bowlers while wickets kept falling in regular tandem.

Dilara Akter (21 off 26), skipper Nigar Sultana (19 off 17) and Sobhana Mostary (18 off 24) got starts but could not carry on.

Earlier, Bangladesh had reached the semifinal after finishing as Group B runners-up with wins over the UAE, Indonesia and a defeat to group toppers Sri Lanka.

India will face the winner of the second semifinal between Sri Lanka and Pakistan in the final on Sunday.