For Bangladesh batter Sharmin Akhter Supta, facing India in the Women’s Asia Cup semi-final is not a burden but an opportunity.
Bangladesh booked their place in the last four with a 34-run win over the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday and will now meet India in Dubai on Thursday. While India have dominated the head-to-head record, winning 21 of 24 T20I meetings, Supta believes Bangladesh should embrace the challenge.
“I think sometimes it can be pressure if you think that way, but for us it is a pleasure to play against a team like India,” Supta said after Bangladesh’s win over the UAE.
“They are a top team. If you want to be a champion, you have to play against teams like India. So it is a pleasure to play against them, not pressure.”
Supta herself played a key role in Bangladesh’s win, scoring 38 off 31 balls after the Tigresses had slipped to 55 for 6.
She added 42 runs with Nahida Akter for the seventh wicket, taking Bangladesh past the 100-run mark before their bowlers defended 103 to seal victory.
“Sometimes these things can happen. At that time, I had to stay there and build a partnership with the tailender. When you lose five or six wickets early, you know how you have to bat in that situation,” she said.
Supta credited Nahida for helping her through the difficult phase.
“It was a little bit difficult, but Nahida was fantastic at that time. She gave me confidence, and I carried on with her. Alhamdulillah, we managed to get past 100.”
Bangladesh’s bowlers then produced another strong performance, with Rabeya Khan taking 3 for 14 and Marufa Akter claiming 2 for 9 as the UAE were restricted to 69 for 9.
Supta believes that bowling strength gives Bangladesh confidence heading into the India clash.
“We know how we can win against that kind of team because we know the strength of our bowling side.”
The Tigresses will now look to carry that confidence into Thursday’s semi-final against India in Dubai.
