THE ASIAN INDEPENDENT UK
Bal Ram Sampla
Geopolitics
Bangkok, Thailand (February 22, 2026)
India A posted 134/7 in 20 overs, with Tejal Hasabnis playing a match-shaping unbeaten 51 off 34 balls. Bangladesh A were bowled out for 88 in 19.1 overs, giving India a 46-run victory. The ball was turning square and Bangladesh collapsed. They were unable to rotate strike and required run rate continued to climb, thus adding extra pressure.
Bangladesh’s standout bowler was Fahima Khatun with 4/25, while India’s Prema Rawat was the pick of the bowlers with 3/12. India were actually in trouble at 44/4 at one stage, but Tejal Hasabnis and skipper Radha Yadav forged a 69-run partnership for the 5th wicket to rescue the innings.
India A were the defending champions, having defeated Bangladesh A by 31 runs in the inaugural edition held in Hong Kong in 2023. So they’ve now been dominant in Asia Cup tournaments, and combined with the senior women’s, men’s, and U19 Asia Cup successes, India’s grip on Asian cricket across all formats and age groups is truly exceptional. They have only lost to Men’s Emerging Stars to Pakistan in the Final.
The victory underlines the strength and depth in India’s emerging women’s cricket talent pool, with performances from players like Prema Rawat, Sonia Mendhiya, and Tanuja Kanwar signalling a promising future for the senior national side as well.
