Dropped catches sink Bangladesh as India reach record Asia Cup final, Mohsin Naqvi question resurfaces. Shafali Verma lived a charmed life, scoring 64 off 40 balls to help India reach yet another Women’s Asia Cup final with a comfortable 40-run win over Bangladesh on Thursday.
On a sluggish surface where batters struggled to get going, Shafali stood out with her fluent effort to take India to a competitive 149/6. The Indian opener was dropped as many as three times, and she duly made Bangladesh pay for those mistakes.
Considering the conditions and India’s bowling resources, the seven-time champions were expected to defend the target, and they did rather comfortably, limiting Bangladesh to 109/7 in 20 overs.
Earlier, the Bangladesh bowling attack, which has been impressive in the tournament, kept the accomplished Indian batters quiet for most of the innings.
In total, four dropped catches let Bangladesh down; otherwise, India would have struggled to get past the 120-run mark.
Mohsin Naqvi to attend India’s Women’s Asia Cup final?
India, seven-time champions and unbeaten in this edition, will face the winner of the second semi-final between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the title clash on September 13.
The final could also bring Asian Cricket Council president and Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi back into focus. According to a Geo Super report, Naqvi is expected to attend the match and serve as chief guest at the closing ceremony.
Naqvi was at the centre of controversy after the 2025 men’s Asia Cup final, when Suryakumar Yadav’s India defeated Pakistan but declined to accept the trophy from him. The presentation was delayed before the Indian players celebrated on the podium without the silverware.
The BCCI has not indicated what Harmanpreet’s side would do if India wins the title and Naqvi is asked to present the trophy. For now, India’s attention will remain on the final and an eighth Asia Cup crown.