Bangladesh Women booked their place in the semi-final of the Women’s Asia Cup 2026 with a 34-run win over UAE Women in a low-scoring encounter at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. After being reduced to 55/6, Bangladesh recovered to post 103/7 in 20 overs before restricting UAE to 69/9 in their chase.
Bangladesh’s bowlers maintained pressure throughout the innings, with Marufa Akter making an early impact with the new ball and Rabeya Khan claiming three wickets. The victory means Bangladesh will now face India in the first semi-final on Thursday.
Sharmin Akhter helps Bangladesh recover from early setbacks
Bangladesh found themselves in trouble after losing six wickets for 55 runs, with UAE spinner Suraksha Kotte playing a major role in keeping the batting side under pressure. Kotte claimed three wickets for 11 runs, dismissing Dilara Akter and Sobhana Mostary during the powerplay before removing Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana for 23 in the 11th over.
Sharmin Akhter combined with Nahida Akter for a crucial 42-run seventh-wicket partnership, helping Bangladesh finish on 103/7. Sharmin remained the top scorer with a composed 38. Kotte was the standout bowler for UAE, finishing with 16 dot balls from her 24 deliveries. Her three powerplay overs cost just seven runs and kept Bangladesh from building momentum during the first half of their innings.
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Marufa Akter and Rabeya Khan keep UAE under pressure
UAE’s chase got off to a difficult start as Marufa produced a superb opening spell. She dismissed captain Esha Oza with an inswinger on her fourth delivery before removing Samaira Dharnidharka with a cross-seam delivery that took the outside edge to the wicketkeeper. Marufa conceded only six runs in her first three overs, leaving UAE at 15/2 at the end of the powerplay. She returned in the ninth over to complete an impressive spell of 2/9 from four overs, ensuring UAE struggled to establish any momentum.
Sultana Khatun also kept the pressure on with her off-spin as UAE reached only 34/3 after 10 overs. Theertha Sathish was dismissed in the following over, and Nahida then struck twice to damage UAE’s chase further. Rabeya added three wickets as Bangladesh continued to pick up regular breakthroughs.
UAE managed only 69/9 from their 20 overs, with the batting side struggling to accelerate against Bangladesh’s disciplined bowling attack. They finished with 70 dot balls as Bangladesh completed a convincing 34-run victory and secured their place in the semi-final, where they will face India on Thursday.
A total clinical performance from the Bangladesh bowlers to secure a 34-run victory against UAE 💥🏏#WomensAsiaCup pic.twitter.com/41qKCDQJqz
— WomenCricket.com (@WomenCricketHQ) September 9, 2026
This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.