Bangladesh reaches Women’s Asia Cup T20 final for first time

The Bangladesh women’s cricket team beat Malaysia by 70 runs to advance to the final of the Women’s Asia Cup T20 tournament for the first time.

Bangladesh will face India in the final at the Kinrara Academy Oval in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday after their fourth consecutive win.

Bangladesh took to bat first, scoring 130 runs. Malaysia, who had failed to score over 50 in any of their previous games, batted the full 20 overs, scoring 60.

India qualified for the final after beating Pakistan by seven wickets. India has won each of the six previous Women’s Asia Cup tournaments, in both the ODI and T20 formats.

But Bangladesh had beaten the defending champions by seven wickets on Wednesday.

After three straight victories against Pakistan, India and Thailand, Bangladesh entered the match against Malaysia with confidence.

Though they were unable to post a high total, good bowling carried the day.

Bangladesh won the toss on Saturday and chose to bat. They were off to a slow but steady start with openers Ayasha Rahman and Shamima Sultana posting 59 runs off of 59 balls in the opening partnership. Rahman scored 31 before being dismissed, while Sultana soldiered on to 43 before being caught before the stumps by Malaysian captain WA Duraisingam.

Fahima Khatun, coming in at number five, hit a quick 26 off 12 balls to take the team to 130/4 at the end of twenty overs.

Duraisingam was the best of Malaysia’s bowlers, taking two wickets for only 19 runs.

She was also the highest scorer of the Malaysian innings, scoring 17. The Malaysians managed to close out the innings with one wicket still in hand.

Leg spinner Rumana Ahmed was the best of Bangladesh’s bowling attack, taking three wickets for only eight runs. Jahanara Alam, Salma Khatun, Nahida Akter and Khadija Tul Kubra took one wicket each.

Shamima Sultana was awarded the player of the match.