Nagoya: Bangladesh Women's team's aspiration to clinch an Asian Games gold in the cricket discipline was dashed after a crushing 114-run defeat to India in the semifinal game today at Korogi Sports Park in Nagoya. The Women's team still can win the bronze if they beat Pakistan in the third-place deciding match on Tuesday. Earlier, Pakistan endured an eight-wicket defeat to Sri Lanka in the first semifinal. According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, India posted 195-4 in their allotted 20 overs after winning the toss, with opener Shafali Verma smashing an unbeaten 100 off 49 balls. Her blazing knock included three fours and nine sixes. Chasing a daunting 196-run target, Bangladesh were bowled out for 81 in 15.4 overs. Opener Dilara Akter top-scored with 27 off 23 balls, including four fours and a six, but received little support from the rest of the batting order. Only the batters could reach the double digits with Sultana Khatun on 12 while Sharmin Akter on 10 was the other two. Opener Juairia Ferdous was di smissed for a duck, while Sobhana Mostary scored 4 as Bangladesh made a disastrous start to the tall chase. Captain Nigar Sultana Joty made 9 and the other middle order batters failed to take the onus, making it a cakewalk for India. Earlier, Shafali sent the Bangladesh bowlers to the receiving end to complete her maiden T20I century with a single off Shorna Akter from the final delivery of India's innings. Smriti Mandhana gave India a flying start, scoring 37 off 19 balls with five fours and two sixes before being dismissed by Nahida Akter. Harmanpreet Kaur then added 40 off 33 balls, including six fours, in a partnership with Shafali that helped India maintain their strong scoring rate. She was stumped off Rabeya Khan, while Richa Ghosh was dismissed for two. Bharti Fulmali remained unbeaten on nine off five balls as India finished strongly. For Bangladesh, Nahida Akter, Sanjida Akter Meghla, Rabeya Khan, and Marufa Akter took one wicket each. India's total surpassed their previous highest against Banglad esh in women's T20Is - 163 for five at the 2016 T20 World Cup in Bengaluru. The defeat was Bangladesh's second knockout-stage loss to India in a major tournament in recent months. Bangladesh had also lost the Asia Cup semifinal to India by 40 runs.
