Bangladesh women launched their 2026 Women’s Twenty20 Asia Cup campaign on a winning note, securing a comfortable 71-run victory over Indonesia Women in Match 4 of Group B at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Despite a disciplined bowling effort from the underdog Indonesian side that restricted Bangladesh to 129/8 in the first innings, Bangladesh’s experienced bowling lineup quickly quashed any hopes of a surprise upset.
After winning the toss and opting to bowl first, Indonesia applied early pressure by removing opener Juairiya Ferdous in the third over for just 8. Bangladesh stabilized through top-scorer Sobhana Mostary, who constructed a patient 40 off 42 deliveries. Mostary anchored the middle overs while Dilara Akter contributed a steady 27. However, middle-order stumbled as they lost Mostary and Ritu Moni in the back-to-back deliveries, prevented Bangladesh from executing a late charge, as Indonesia’s Ni Kadek Ariani returned excellent figures of 3 for 28. It took a brisk counter-attacking cameo from Shorna Akter, who smashed an unbeaten 31 off just 18 balls including three boundaries and a six to drag Bangladesh to a defendable 129/8 in 20 overs.
Indonesia’s chase never gained momentum against Bangladesh’s relentless seam-and-spin attack. Pacer Marufa Akter delivered an economical opening spell, taking 2 for 6 in three overs—including a maiden, and removed both opposition openers during the powerplay. Struggling to break free from tight stump-to-stump lines, Indonesia found boundary-hitting exceptionally difficult on a slowing surface. The ended up hitting just three boundaries during their chase.
Left-arm spinner Nahida Akter then took complete control of the match in the middle overs. Nahida dismantled Indonesia’s middle order with figures of 3 for 15, while Sanjida Akter Meghla and Fahima Khatun provided relentless support with frugal spells. Only the opener Maria Corazon managed to reach double figures (12 off 13) for Indonesia, as the side crumbled under continuous pressure and a couple of sharp run-outs.
Indonesia were eventually bundled out for just 58 in 17.3 overs, handing Bangladesh a commanding victory to kickstart their group-stage journey. Bangladesh will aim to build on this defensive display in their upcoming fixtures, while Indonesia can draw encouragement from their strong first-innings bowling effort against a full-member nation.
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