Bangladesh’s women’s team could not overcome India in the final of the Women’s Rising Stars Asia Cup, losing for the second consecutive edition to the same opponents. India’s ‘A’ team secured the trophy once more, leaving Bangladesh to settle for runners-up.
Despite nine of Bangladesh’s playing XI having international experience, including several long-standing internationals, India’s team – led by the experienced captain Radha Yadav – outperformed them on the field. Bangladesh, the only unbeaten side in the tournament until the final, faltered at the most crucial stage.
India won the final by 46 runs, maintaining momentum after recovering from an opening defeat against the United Arab Emirates. Victories over Pakistan and Sri Lanka carried them through to lift the trophy once again.
After winning the toss on 22 February, Radha Yadav elected to bat, targeting 150–160 runs. Bangladesh captain Fahima Khatun had hoped to restrict India to 110–120, but the opposition finished on 134 in their 20 overs.
The standout performer was Tejal Hasabnis, who played a measured 51 not out from 34 balls. She shared a crucial 69-run partnership with Radha, which ultimately turned the match in India’s favour. Radha, a left-arm spinner with a T20I batting average of just 5.47, contributed 36 valuable runs from 30 balls in the final.
The match began with a tight contest. India scored just four runs from the first two overs in the powerplay, bowled economically by Bangladesh. Farhia Trishna hit three boundaries in the third over to give India a brief spark.
Bangladesh struck early when left-arm spinner Fatema Jahan dismissed Brinda in the sixth over. Openers Nandini Kashyap and Minu Mani were soon removed through a run-out and a catch, leaving India four down for 44 in the ninth over.
The Radha–Tejal partnership stabilised India’s innings. After 14 overs, they accelerated, with Tejal hitting consecutive sixes off pace bowler Farzana Yasmin. Radha eventually fell in the 17th over, but Tejal anchored the innings to remain unbeaten on 51 as India added 54 runs in the final six overs.
Chasing 135, Bangladesh needed a strong start in the powerplay but lost Ishma Tanzim early for 3. Experienced batters Shamima Sultana (20 off 15) and Sharmin Sultana (18 off 30) provided some resistance, but wickets fell regularly.
Leg-spinner Prema Rawat tightened the noose, dismissing Shadia Akter for 10 and Lata Mandal for 1. Fahima and Farzana tried to stem the collapse but were unable to chase the required run rate. Farzana was dismissed for 6 from 10 balls, and Bangladesh were bowled out for 8
