Bangladesh secured a commanding 71-run victory over Women’s Asia Cup debutants Indonesia in their Group B opener at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Monday, August 31. After electing to bat, Bangladesh overcame a sluggish start to post a total of 129 for 8 in their allotted 20 overs, before their bowling attack dismantled the Indonesian lineup for just 58 runs in 17.3 overs.
The Bangladeshi innings faced early pressure from disciplined Indonesian bowling, which restricted the team to 32 for 1 by the end of the Powerplay. Juairiya Ferdous contributed 8 runs before departing, while Dilara Akter struggled to find rhythm, scoring 27 off 31 deliveries. Sobhana Mostary provided some stability with a composed 40 off 42 balls, featuring two fours and a six. However, the innings truly gained momentum in the final stages thanks to Shorna Akter, who smashed an unbeaten 31 off just 18 balls, including three fours and a six, to help add 40 runs during the final five overs.
Indonesia’s bowling effort was led by Ni Kadek Ariani, who claimed 3 for 28, including two wickets in a final over that conceded only three runs. Ni Luh Dewi also made an impact by dismissing Mostary and Ritu Moni in consecutive deliveries during the 17th over, as Bangladesh struggled to maintain a consistent boundary flow toward the end of their innings.
In response, Indonesia’s chase faltered early as they slipped to 39 for 4 by the 10th over. Marufa Akter struck early, removing Rahmawati Pangestuti for 9 and later trapping Maria Corazon—who top-scored for her side with 12—lbw in the fifth over. The middle order failed to stabilize the innings; Ni Putu Ayu Nanda Sakarini managed only 2 off 15 balls before falling to Fahima Khatun, and Ni Luh Dewi was dismissed for 9 by Shanjida Akter Meghla.
The collapse accelerated as Nahida Akter tore through the lower order, claiming 3 for 15 in two overs. She dismissed Ni Kadek Fitria Rada Rani, Ni Made Putri Suwandewi, and Ni Kadek Ariani, while Sofia Velic was run out. Indonesia added only five more runs after the eighth wicket fell, ultimately being bowled out in the 18th over. The final scorecard reflected a dominant performance by the favorites, with Marufa Akter finishing with 2 for 6 alongside Nahida’s three-wicket haul. The report also notes that shorna Akter came up with a quick-fire knock to lift Bangladesh to 129 for 8 before Marufa Akter and Nahida Akter did the bulk of the damage with the ball to bowl Indonesia out for 58. The report also notes that bangladesh recovered from a sluggish start to post in excess of 120. The report also notes that ariani’s closing over cost only three runs and included the wickets of Rabeya Khan and Nahida Akter as Bangladesh managed only 10 in the last two overs. The report also notes that caught at mid-on off Marufa Akter, before Maria Corazon briefly provided some impetus with 12 off 13, the only double digit score in Indonesia’s innings, they lost Rahmawati Pangestuti for 9 in the third over.
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