Bangladesh launched their Women’s Asia Cup campaign with a dominant 71-run victory over debutants Indonesia in a Group B fixture at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Monday, August 31. After a challenging start, Bangladesh posted a total of 129 for 8, before a lethal bowling display dismantled the Indonesian lineup for just 58 runs.
The Bangladeshi innings began slowly, reaching only 32 for one by the end of the Powerplay as Indonesia’s bowlers maintained tight lines. Juairiya Ferdous departed for 8, and Dilara Akter struggled to find rhythm, scoring 27 off 31 balls before falling to Ni Kadek Ariani. Sobhana Mostary provided some stability with a composed 40 off 42 deliveries, featuring two fours and a six, though the team found it difficult to rotate the strike and hit regular boundaries.
A late-innings acceleration was provided by Shorna Akter, who smashed an unbeaten 31 off just 18 balls, including three fours and a six. Despite this effort, which helped add 40 runs in the final five overs, Indonesia continued to take wickets. Ni Luh Dewi dismissed Mostary and Ritu Moni in consecutive balls during the 17th over, and Ariani returned to claim two more wickets in the final over—including Rabeya Khan and Nahida Akter—to finish with impressive figures of 3 for 28.
Indonesia’s chase never gained traction, as they were reduced to 39 for four by the 10th over. Marufa Akter struck early, removing Rahmawati Pangestuti for 9 and Maria Corazon, who top-scored for her side with 12, via an lbw decision. The middle order failed to resist, with Ni Putu Ayu Nanda Sakarini trapped lbw by Fahima Khatun and Ni Luh Dewi falling to Shanjida Akter Meghla.
Nahida Akter spearheaded the final collapse, claiming three wickets in two overs to leave Indonesia reeling at 53 for 8. She dismissed Ni Kadek Fitria Rada Rani, Ni Made Putri Suwandewi, and Ni Kadek Ariani, while Sofia Velic was run out. The innings concluded in the 18th over with Indonesia bowled out for 58. Final scores: Bangladesh 129/8 (20 overs) defeated Indonesia 58 (17.3 overs) by 71 runs. The report also notes that shorna Akter came up with a quick-fire knock to lift Bangladesh to 129 for 8 before Marufa Akter and Nahida Akter did the bulk of the damage with the ball to bowl Indonesia out for 58. The report also notes that bangladesh recovered from a sluggish start to post in excess of 120. The report also notes that ariani’s closing over cost only three runs and included the wickets of Rabeya Khan and Nahida Akter as Bangladesh managed only 10 in the last two overs. The report also notes that caught at mid-on off Marufa Akter, before Maria Corazon briefly provided some impetus with 12 off 13, the only double digit score in Indonesia’s innings, they lost Rahmawati Pangestuti for 9 in the third over. The report also notes that leaving Indonesia 26 for two, corazon was trapped lbw by Marufa in the fifth over. The report also notes that the innings stalled completely thereafter.
