India will face Bangladesh in the first semifinal of the Women's Asia Cup in Dubai on Thursday, with the seven-time champions carrying unbeaten momentum into the knockout stage.
Harmanpreet Kaur's side topped Group A after winning all their matches, and the most eye-catching performance of the tournament came from Smriti Mandhana, who struck 124 off 64 balls against Hong Kong. India also beat Pakistan by seven wickets after dismissing them for 55, a reminder of how complete their group-stage run has been.
Bangladesh arrive with a different path
Bangladesh's route to the semifinal was less comfortable. They beat the UAE by 34 runs to reach the last four, but only after slipping to 55 for 6. That recovery showed resilience, yet it also underlined the batting issues they will need to manage against India.
The matchup brings together two teams with very different recent form. India have been dominant from the start, while Bangladesh have had to fight through pressure to stay alive in the tournament.
What to watch in Dubai
For India, the main questions are whether Harmanpreet Kaur and Richa Ghosh can keep the batting order steady and whether the bowling group can maintain the control shown in the group stage. For Bangladesh, Sharmin Akhter and Nigar Sultana will be central if they are to give their side a stronger platform.
The broader backdrop adds another layer. Diplomatic relations between New Delhi and Dhaka have been strained following political transitions in Bangladesh, and the Indian men's team's tour of Bangladesh has been postponed on multiple occasions because of prevailing political tension. On Thursday, though, the focus will stay on cricket, with one team moving a step closer to the Women's Asia Cup title.
