Published: 11:31 AM, 10 September 2026
Bangladesh set up semi-final against India at Asia Cup
Marufa climbs to career-best ICC T20I bowling rankings
Bangladesh pacer Marufa Akter was rewarded for her impressive performance against Sri Lanka in the ongoing Women's Asia Cup as she climbed 19 places to a career-best 18th position in the latest ICC Women's T20I bowling rankings. -BCB
Bangladesh sealed a 34-run victory to confirm their Asia Cup 2026 semi-final against India. Defending 103, Bangladesh restricted the UAE to 69/9 in their 20 overs as the bowlers delivered an absolute clinic in Dubai.
Rabeya Khan led the charge with the ball, registering bowling figures of 3/14 off her four overs.
Meanwhile, Marufa Akter and Nahida Akter picked up a brace each, whereas Sultana Khatun and Fahima Khatun also got on the wickets chart.
Earlier, the hosts won the toss and opted to bowl first at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
The home side gained an early advantage as Suraksha Kotte struck twice in the powerplay. The right-arm off-spinner went on to snap another wicket as Bangladesh kept losing momentum with the bat.
Juairiya Ferdous (16) and skipper Nigar Sultana (23) added crucial contributions with the bat, followed by Sharmin Akhter (38), who top-scored for Bangladesh.
Despite being bowled out for what was their lowest total in this Asia Cup, Bangladesh eventually managed to gain valuable two points in what was a decisive fixture to determine the fourth semi-finalist at the tournament.
While the Nigar Sultana-led side will play against India, the defending champions Sri Lanka will play Pakistan for a place in the summit clash.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh pacer Marufa Akter was rewarded for her impressive performance against Sri Lanka in the ongoing Women's Asia Cup as she climbed 19 places to a career-best 18th position in the latest ICC Women's T20I bowling rankings.
Marufa who claimed 3-21 in four overs against Sri Lanka earned rating of 622 and becoming the highest-ranked Bangladeshi bowler in the T20I rankings.
Spinner Sultana Khatun also improved her position, moving up nine places to joint 37th after claiming 1-14 in four overs. Rabeya Khan and Nahida Akter, however, slipped in the latest update.
There was no change among the leading bowlers, with Sri Lanka's Inoka Ranaweera, England's Sophie Ecclestone and Australia's Sophie Molineux featuring among the top-ranked bowlers.
Bangladesh's batters also significant improvement in the latest rankings despite their substandard performance.
Captain Nigar Sultana Joty moved up one place to 21st, while Sobhana Mostary rose three places to 36th, Dilara Akter climbed five places to 62nd and Juairiya Ferdous advanced six places to 96th. Joty remains Bangladesh's highest-ranked batter in T20Is.
Australia's Beth Mooney retained the top spot in the women's T20I batting rankings, followed by Georgia Voll and Laura Wolvaardt.
There was also no change at the top of the T20I all-rounder rankings, with West Indies captain Hayley Matthews leading the list ahead of New Zealand's Amelia Kerr and Sri Lanka's Chamari Athapaththu.
>>ICC
