Bangladesh set up India clash in Asia Cup final

KUALA LUMPUR (92 News) – Rumana Ahmed's 3/8 and Shamima Sultana's 43 helped Bangladesh beat Malaysia by 70 runs in the final league game of the Women's T20 Asia Cup in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday, 9 June. The victory secured Bangladesh a berth in Sunday’s final against India, who qualified earlier in the day after beating Pakistan by seven wickets. Bangladesh opted to bat and posted 130/4, and then restricted Malaysia to 60/9, with Ahmed the pick of the bowlers. Malaysia did not get off to the best of starts as the openers Yusrina Yaakop (11) and Christina Baret (2) were dismissed within six overs. Mas Elysa then scored an 18-ball 14 even as Mahirah Izzati Ismail assiduously blocked at the other end. However, their 14-run stand was broken, with Ahmed trapping Elysa in front, and Malaysia were soon reduced to 37/4. The slide continued thereafter, with Malaysia losing four wickets for just 10 runs, including that of their captain Winifred Duraisingam, who had scored a battling 14. Earlier, Bangladesh notched up 130/4, thanks to Sultana's 43 and her opening partnership of 59 with Ayasha Rahman (31 off 27). The stand was broken by Sasha Azmi’s dismissal of Rahman, but the platform laid by the openers helped Sanjida Islam (15) and Fahima Khatun (26*) consolidate in the middle order. They added 36 runs for the fourth wicket, taking Bangladesh from 87/3 at the fall of Sultana's wicket to 123/4. Islam was run out in the final over as Bangladesh looked to boost the total. For Malaysia, Duraisingam was the pick among the bowlers, returning 2/19 in her four overs.