3 Bangladesh players India must watch out for, including Nahida Akter

The semi-final between India and Bangladesh in the Women’s Asia Cup 2024 promises to be an exciting encounter

With a lot at stake for both teams, fans can expect a thrilling match full of drama and excitement. While India will be looking to assert their dominance and move one step closer to defending their title, Bangladesh will be looking to spring an upset and book a place in the final.

Regardless of the result, this match will undoubtedly add another memorable chapter to the India-Bangladesh cricket rivalry.

The semi-final of the Women’s Asia Cup 2024 between India and Bangladesh promises to be an exciting game.

India are favourites and the challenge for them will be to maintain their form and withstand the pressure of knockout cricket.

With their effective slow bowlers and the potential to spring an upset, Bangladesh will be keen to make an impression and challenge the favourites.

As both teams prepare for this crucial encounter, cricket fans can expect a high-quality and intense battle for a place in the final.

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India and Bangladesh: Sparks of rivalry

The explosive competition between India and Bangladesh in women’s cricket continues to fascinate fans and pundits alike.

On Friday, the two teams will meet again in the semi-finals of the Women’s Asian Cup 2024 in Dambulla.

With both sides having experienced numerous intense encounters in the past, this game promises to be another exciting chapter in their rivalry.

A heated series in Bangladesh

The rivalry between India and Bangladesh took a dramatic turn last year when India toured Bangladesh.

The ODI series ended in a draw, but the Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur’s outburst of anger towards the local umpires made headlines.

Kaur accused the umpires of bias and repeatedly made her opinion clear. This controversy further inflamed the already heated rivalry and set the stage for future encounters.

India’s dominant performance in April

Earlier this year, India dealt a devastating blow to Bangladesh by imposing a 5-0 victoryThis comprehensive victory underlined India’s superiority, but also left Bangladesh with a burning desire for revenge.

The Women’s Asia Cup semi-final is the perfect opportunity for Bangladesh to settle a score and stop India’s quest to defend its title.

Bangladesh’s path to the semi-finals

Overcoming early setbacks

Bangladesh’s journey in the Women’s Asia Cup began with a defeat against Sri Lanka, but they quickly recovered with convincing victories over Thailand and Malaysia.

These victories showed the team’s resilience and determination. Bangladesh know that they will have to be at their best as they prepare for their match against India to beat the tournament favourites.

Key players for Bangladesh

Bangladesh has some outstanding players who could be crucial in the semi-finals. Here are three key players India should be wary of:

Murshida Khatun: The strong start

Murshida Khatun is in exceptional form, scored 50 from 55 balls against Thailand and impressive 80 from 59 balls against Malaysia.

Her ability to build an innings and step on the gas at crucial moments makes her a key pillar in Bangladesh’s batting line-up.

On the flat tracks of Dambulla, Khatun’s skill in rotating the strike and her power play against spinners could pose a significant threat to India.

Importance of an early breakthrough

For India, taking Khatun out of the game early will be crucial. By removing Bangladesh’s accumulator, India can put pressure on the rest of the batting order and control the flow of the game.

Khatun’s wicket will be a coveted win for the Indian bowlers.

Nigar Sultana: The Captain’s Mission

Nigar Sultana, the captain of the Bangladesh team, has consistently delivered convincing performances with the bat.

She was one of the two players to score a half-century in the recent T20I series between India and Bangladesh, underlining her importance in the batting order. Sultana’s aggressive approach complements Khatun’s stability, making them a formidable duo.

Potential to win

In the match against Malaysia, Sultana scored an unbeaten 62 off 37 balls, including five fours and two sixes. Her ability to challenge the bowlers from the start and play powerful shots across the field makes her a dangerous player.

If Sultana gets going, even a brief stay at the crease can turn the game in Bangladesh’s favour. India’s bowlers will have to do their best to keep her at bay.

Nahida Akter: Leading wicket-taker

The spin sensation

Nahida Akter has proven to be one of the best wicket-taker in the Women’s Asia Cup 2024. The left-arm spinner’s ability to bowl accurately and build pressure has made her a key pillar for Bangladesh.

In the match against Sri Lanka, Akter was the standout bowler and took all three wickets for her team.

India’s Achilles heel

India’s batting line-up, while impressive, has been vulnerable to left-arm spinners in this tournament.

Nahida’s variations and her ability to throw the ball in the right areas could cause problems for the Indian batsmen. For Bangladesh to spring an upset, Akter’s performance with the ball will be crucial. A big throw from her could pave Bangladesh’s way to the final.

A balanced team

• India goes into the semi-finals as favourites and has a balanced team with strong players in both batting and bowling.
• Led by the experienced Harmanpreet Kaur, the team has shown that it can handle pressure and perform at crucial moments.
• While Bangladesh focuses on its key players, India also has some match winners.
• From the aggressive Shafali Verma to the reliable Smriti Mandhana and the all-round skills of Deepti Sharma, India has a robust line-up that can face any challenge.
• India’s strategy is likely to focus on breaking through early with the ball and establishing a solid base with the bat.
• Keeping Bangladesh’s key players in check and exploiting their weaknesses will be crucial, while the Indian team must also keep calm and not let the rivalry distract them from their game plan.

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Women’s Asia Cup 2024: Preview of the semi-final India vs. Bangladesh

The Women’s Asia Cup 2024 is heading towards an exciting climax as India prepares for its semi-final against Bangladesh.

With the stakes high and the competition fierce, this game promises to be an exciting contest. Here’s a closer look at what you can expect from this crucial encounter.

India’s performance in the group stage was nothing short of spectacular. The ‘Women in Blue’ proved their dominance by convincingly winning all three group matches.

They first secured a seven-wicket victory over Pakistan, followed by a impressive 78-run win against the UAEand capped it off with an 82-run victory over Nepal. This flawless record underlines their form and readiness for the semi-finals.

Shafali Verma: The star batswoman

Shafali Verma has been one of the standout players of the tournament. With a total of 158 runs, she is the second highest run-scorer so far.

Her aggressive batting style and ability to score quickly have been crucial to India’s success and her role will be crucial in the semi-final against Bangladesh.

Facing a team with a lot of slow bowlers, Verma will need to maintain her explosive form to give India a solid start.

Smriti Mandhana: The elegant left-hander

Smriti Mandhana, India’s stylish opening batswoman, is in fine form. Her innings of 45 against Pakistan was a highlight, although she failed to convert it into a higher score.

In the semi-finals, Mandhana’s experience and flair will be crucial. The combination of Mandhana and Verma at the top of the order will be crucial in building a strong foundation for India’s innings.

Bangladesh’s bowling threat

Bangladesh’s bowling attack poses a big challenge to India’s formidable batting line-up. The team relies heavily on its slow bowlers, including slow left-arm orthodox bowler Nahida Akhter and young leg-spinner Rabeya Khan. Both are in excellent form, having taken five wickets each in the tournament so far.

Nahida’s economical bowling (at a savings rate of 3.25) and Rabeya’s wicket-taking ability will be crucial in disrupting India’s batting rhythm.

The Medium Pace Duo

In addition to the slow bowlers, Bangladesh’s medium pace department with the experienced Jahanara Alam and Ritu Moni will also play a crucial role.

Both bowlers have contributed important wickets throughout the tournament and their experience and ability to swing the ball could pose a new challenge for India’s batters, especially in the crucial middle overs.

India’s strength

• India’s batting line-up has considerable depth, with players like Harmanpreet Kaur, Richa Ghosh and Jemimah Rodrigues Anchoring the middle order.
• Harmanpreet, in particular, has the experience and skill to anchor the innings and accelerate it when required. Richa Ghosh’s explosive batting and Jemimah Rodrigues’ consistency further strengthen India’s mid-order.
• The presence of all-rounders such as Deepti Sharma and Puja Vastrakar ensures clear balance in the Indian team.
• Deepti Sharma’s ability to contribute with both the bat and the ball makes her a valuable player, while Puja Vastrakar’s all-round skills offer flexibility in both batting and throwing. Their contributions will be crucial in adding additional options and depth to the team.
• As captain, Harmanpreet Kaur’s leadership will be crucial to handle the pressure in the semi-finals.
• She is aware that while India’s performances have been strong in the past, the semi-finals and final are where it really matters. Kaur’s ability to inspire her team and make key decisions will be at the centre of attention as India look to secure a place in the final.

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