Women's 'A' team suffer defeat to India in Rising Stars final

Bangladesh finished runners-up for the second successive edition of the Rising Stars Asia Cup Women’s tournament after suffering a 46-run defeat to India in the final at the Terdthai Cricket Ground in Bangkok on Sunday.

The competition, formerly known as the ACC Women’s T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup, was first staged in 2023 in Hong Kong, where Bangladesh also ended as runners-up after losing to India in the final.

Set a target of 135, Bangladesh never found momentum in the chase as wickets fell at regular intervals. The innings folded for 88 in 19.1 overs, with the batters struggling to build meaningful partnerships.

Opener Shamima Sultana top-scored with 20, while Sharmin Sultana made 18 and Fahima Khatun chipped in with 14.

Prema Rawat led India’s bowling effort with figures of 3 for 12, while Tanuja Kanwar and Sonia Mendhiya claimed two wickets each.

Earlier, India posted 134 for seven after electing to bat, recovering from early trouble at 44 for four in the ninth over. Tejal Hasabnis and captain Radha Yadav rebuilt the innings with a crucial 69-run partnership for the fifth wicket.

Tejal struck an unbeaten 51 off 34 balls, while Radha made 36 from 30 deliveries to guide India to a competitive total.

Bangladesh captain Fahima Khatun impressed with the ball, claiming 4 for 25, but her all-round effort proved insufficient to deny India the title once again.