New Delhi: India women’s football team defeated Bangladesh by 46 runs in the final to claim the ACC Women’s Asia Cup Rising Stars title on Sunday. Batting first, India A posted a competitive score of 134/7 in 20 overs, mainly due to Tejal Hasabnis’ unbeaten half-century and the valuable contribution of the captain Radha Yadav.Openers Nandini Kashyap and Vrinda Dinesh made a solid start but failed to convert a big score while Anushka Sharma and Minnu Mani were dismissed cheaply to leave India in trouble. Tejal Hasabnis then steadied the innings with a flowing 34-ball 51, hitting three boundaries and two sixes. Radha Yadav’s crucial 36 off 30 balls supported her as India crossed the 130-run mark. Bangladesh captain Fahima Khatun led the bowling with impressive figures of 4/25, while Farjana Easmin and Fatema Jahan Sonia scored one wicket each.In response, Bangladesh’s chase never gained momentum. Opener Ishma Tanjim was dismissed early and while Shamima Sultana, Sarmin Sultana, Sadia Akter and Fahima Khatun tried to stabilize the innings with small partnerships, they struggled against India’s disciplined bowling attack. Bangladesh were eventually bowled out for 88 in 19.1 overs.India’s bowlers shared the spoils, with Prema Rawat leading the attack with 3/12, while Sonia Mendhiya and Tanuja Kanwer took two wickets each. Saima Thakor, Minnu Mani and Radha Yadav also contributed a wicket each.Tejal Hasabnis was named Man of the Match for his unbeaten half-century, capping off a dominant performance by the India A women’s team in the tournament final.
