Nahida stars as Bangladesh open Asia Cup with big win

Left-arm spinner Nahida Akter led Bangladesh’s bowling attack with an impressive spell as the Tigresses opened their Women’s Asia Cup T20 campaign with a convincing 71-run victory over Indonesia in their Group B opener at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in the UAE yesterday.

Chasing a target of 130, Indonesia were bowled out for just 58 in 17.3 overs. Nahida finished with 3-15 from four overs after pacer Marufa Akter struck twice early to dismiss both Indonesian openers and put Bangladesh firmly in control.

Earlier, Sobhana Mostary anchored the Bangladesh innings with 41 off 42 balls, while Dilara Akter contributed 27 off 31. Shorna Akter then produced a late surge, smashing an unbeaten 31 from only 18 deliveries to take Bangladesh to 129-8 after they were asked to bat first.

Bangladesh lost Juairiya Ferdous for eight in the third over, but Mostary and Dilara rebuilt the innings through a 40-run second-wicket stand. However, the scoring rate remained slow during the middle overs.

With Bangladesh at 105-5 in the 17th over, Shorna’s aggressive finish yielded 24 runs from the final three overs and gave the Tigresses a competitive total.

Indonesia’s Ni Kadek Ariani was the pick of their bowlers with 3-28, while Ni Luh Dewi took two wickets.

Bangladesh’s bowlers then delivered a disciplined performance, striking at regular intervals and preventing Indonesia from developing any meaningful partnership. Maria Corazon top-scored with just 12, the only Indonesian batter to reach double figures.

Bangladesh will next meet Sri Lanka on 6 September before taking on hosts UAE on 8 September in their final group match.

The top two sides from each group will qualify for the semi-finals on 10 and 11 September, with the final scheduled for 13 September.