India Women will face Bangladesh Women in the first semi-final of the Women's Asia Cup 2026 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on 10 September. The match is scheduled to begin at 8:00 PM IST, with the winner advancing to the tournament final on 13 September.
Harmanpreet Kaur's India enter the knockout stage after an unbeaten Group A campaign, while Bangladesh secured the second qualification place from Group B. The semi-final brings together an India side that has dominated its group and a Bangladesh team that sealed qualification with an important win over hosts United Arab Emirates.
India vs Bangladesh Women's Asia Cup 2026 semi-final details
Match: India Women vs Bangladesh Women, 1st Semi-Final
Date: 10 September 2026
Time: 8:00 PM IST / 14:30 GMT
Venue: Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai
Format: Women's T20 International
How India reached the semi-final
India finished at the top of Group A with three victories from three matches and six points. Their campaign included wins over Thailand, Hong Kong, China and Pakistan.
India began with a 94-run victory over Thailand before producing an emphatic 137-run win against Hong Kong, China. Smriti Mandhana was the standout performer in that match, scoring 124 from 64 balls.
India then defeated Pakistan by seven wickets after bowling them out for 55. The result completed an unbeaten group stage and gave India strong momentum heading into the knockout phase.
Bangladesh secure their place in the knockouts
Bangladesh qualified as the second-placed team from Group B after winning two of their three matches.
The decisive result came against United Arab Emirates on 8 September. Bangladesh were bowled out for 103 but responded with an excellent bowling performance to restrict the hosts to 69 for nine and win by 34 runs.
Rabeya Khan led Bangladesh's attack with figures of three for 14, while Marufa Akter and Nahida Akter claimed two wickets each. Sharmin Akhter had earlier top-scored with 38 in Bangladesh's innings.
India carry an unbeaten Asia Cup record into the semi-final
India have been one of the most convincing teams in the tournament so far. Their three Group A wins came through different combinations of aggressive batting, disciplined spin bowling and strong new-ball pressure.
Smriti Mandhana has been a major source of runs at the top of the order, while Shafali Verma has provided India with attacking starts. India's bowling depth has also been important, particularly in the victory against Pakistan.
The challenge now is to reproduce that group-stage consistency in a knockout match, where one difficult phase can decide the tournament.
Bangladesh's bowling could be their biggest weapon
Bangladesh's qualification-clinching victory over UAE showed why their bowling attack cannot be underestimated. Defending only 103, they controlled the chase throughout and denied the hosts any significant momentum.
Rabeya Khan's leg-spin will be one of the key threats for India's batters, while Nahida Akter and Marufa Akter give Bangladesh additional wicket-taking options.
If Bangladesh can take early wickets and force India's middle order to rebuild, they could make the semi-final significantly more competitive.
Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma remain key for India
India's opening pair will again be central to their batting plans. Mandhana has already produced one of the tournament's standout innings with her 124 against Hong Kong, China.
Shafali also enters the match with encouraging recent history against Bangladesh. In the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 meeting between the teams on 25 June, she scored a 29-ball half-century as India chased 137 to win by five wickets.
An aggressive opening partnership could allow India to control the tempo early and reduce the pressure on the middle order.
Radha Yadav has recent success against Bangladesh
Radha Yadav was another important performer when India faced Bangladesh at the Women's T20 World Cup in June. The left-arm spinner took three wickets as Bangladesh were restricted to 136 for eight.
Dubai conditions have already allowed spin bowlers to influence several matches during this Asia Cup, making India's spin resources an important part of the semi-final contest.
Recent India vs Bangladesh meeting
India and Bangladesh last met in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 on 25 June. Bangladesh scored 136 for eight before India completed the chase at 139 for five in 16.5 overs.
Shafali Verma was named Player of the Match after her quick fifty, while Radha Yadav finished with three wickets.
That result gives India a useful recent reference point, although knockout cricket presents a different type of pressure and Bangladesh will arrive with confidence after securing their Asia Cup semi-final place.
Key players to watch
Smriti Mandhana: India's vice-captain has already produced a record-breaking century in the tournament and remains one of the team's most important top-order batters.
Shafali Verma: Her attacking approach can change the match inside the powerplay, and she has recent success against Bangladesh.
Radha Yadav: Her left-arm spin gives India a proven wicket-taking option, particularly through the middle overs.
Rabeya Khan: Bangladesh's leg-spinner enters the semi-final after taking three for 14 in the qualification-clinching win against UAE.
Sharmin Akhter: She top-scored for Bangladesh against UAE and could play an important role if Bangladesh need to build a competitive total.
What India need to do to reach the final
India will begin as the team with the stronger group-stage record, but they will need to avoid allowing Bangladesh's bowlers to dictate the early stages of the match.
A solid powerplay with the bat, disciplined bowling against Bangladesh's top order and strong fielding will be central to India's chances.
The team's unbeaten group campaign provides confidence, but a semi-final leaves no margin for a recovery in the next match. India must now convert their tournament form into another complete performance.
A place in the Women's Asia Cup 2026 final awaits
The winner of India vs Bangladesh will advance to the Women's Asia Cup 2026 final scheduled for 13 September in Dubai.
The other semi-final will feature defending champions Sri Lanka against Pakistan on 11 September.
For India, the first semi-final is the next step in their pursuit of another Women's Asia Cup title. For Bangladesh, it is an opportunity to turn a hard-earned qualification into a major knockout victory.
Information checked through 10 September 2026 before the first semi-final.