Dubai: Bangladesh crushed debutants Indonesia by a commanding 71 runs as they produced a ruthless bowling attack, led by Marufa Akter and Nahida Akter’s combined five-wicket haul. Bangladesh bowled out Indonesia for just 58 runs in 17.3 overs to seal an emphatic victory in the fourth match of the Group B encounter of the T20 Asia Cup 2026 at the Dubai International Stadium in Dubai on Monday, 31 August.
Bangladesh began their Asia Cup 2026 campaign with a convincing victory, while debutants Indonesia put up a spirited performance. After winning the toss and opting to bowl first, Indonesia restricted Bangladesh to 129/8. Sobhana Mostary led the way with a superb knock of 40 off 42 balls, while Shorna Akter provided a crucial late flourish with a fluent 31 off 18 balls, helping Bangladesh post a competitive total on the board. However, Bangladesh’s clinical and ruthless bowling attack completely dismantled Indonesia’s chase, as they struggled to build any meaningful momentum throughout the innings. Nahida Akter was outstanding with a brilliant spell of 3/15, while Marufa Akter provided excellent support with an impressive 2/6. Sanjida Akter Meghla and Fahima Khatun also chipped in with a wicket each as Indonesia suffered a dramatic batting collapse and were bowled out for just 58 runs in 17.3 overs.
The match began with Indonesia winning the toss and electing to bowl first. Bangladesh made a positive start to their innings, finding several boundaries in the opening two overs before Suwandewi struck in her second over, dismissing Jauairiya Ferdous for 8 off 7 balls. The dismissal marked Indonesia’s first-ever wicket in the Asia Cup. Sobhana Mostary joined Dilara Akter at the crease, but both batters struggled to find their rhythm as Indonesia’s bowlers maintained consistent pressure with disciplined bowling. Bangladesh managed just one boundary in the final three overs of the powerplay and ended the opening six overs at 30/1. Indonesia continued to maintain the pressure after the powerplay, bringing their spinners into the attack. Bangladesh suffered another setback as Dilara Akter was dismissed after a steady 27 off 31 balls, leaving them at 58/2 after 10 overs. Soon after, international debutant Sofia Velic struck again, dismissing Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana for 10 off 11 balls. However, Sobhana Mostary took charge of the innings, anchoring the Bangladesh batting with a composed 40 off 42 balls, including two boundaries and a six, to steady the innings and help the team recover from the early setbacks. Shorna Akter then provided the much-needed momentum with a stunning 31 off 18 balls, remaining unbeaten while striking three fours and a six. Bangladesh, however, suffered a late collapse as Ni Luh Dewi removed Mostary and Ritu Moni with successive deliveries in the 17th over. Ni Kadek Ariani then delivered a decisive final over, picking up two wickets while conceding just three runs. Bangladesh managed only 10 runs in the final three overs and finished on 129/8 after 20 overs, setting Indonesia a target of 130. Ni Kadek Ariani emerged as Indonesia’s leading wicket-taker with an excellent 3/28, while Ni Luh Dewi claimed 2/21. Ni Made Putri Suwandewi and Sofia Velic also chipped in with a wicket each.
While chasing the target of 130, Indonesia struggled to build any momentum against Bangladesh’s ruthless bowling attack. They suffered an early setback as Marufa Akter dismissed both Indonesian openers inside the first five overs, leaving Indonesia in deep trouble at 26/2. Rahmawati Pangestuti fell after scoring 9 off 10 balls, while Maria Corazon offered a brief resistance with 12 off 13 balls. Her 12-run knock stood as the highest score of the Indonesian innings and the only double-digit contribution, as Bangladesh continued to tighten their grip on the chase. Soon after, Sanjida Akter Meghla struck again, dismissing Ni Luh Dewi LBW after she scored 9 off 13 balls. Indonesia reached the 10-over mark in deep trouble, with their innings beginning to collapse under Bangladesh’s relentless bowling pressure. The bowling onslaught continued, pushing Indonesia into an even more critical position as Nahida Akter produced a sensational spell. She claimed three wickets across two overs, first trapping Ni Kadek Fitria Rada Rani LBW for 4 off 10 balls. In her next over, she dismissed Ni Made Putri Suwandewi for 3 off 7 balls before striking again with the final delivery of the over to remove Ni Kadek Ariani for 2 off 2 balls. Sofia Velic was then run out for 1 off 2 balls, further deepening Indonesia’s crisis. The 14th over proved crucial for Bangladesh as Indonesia slipped to eight wickets down. Two more run-outs followed, with Desi Wulandari dismissed after scoring 7 off 14 balls and Agung Laksmi falling for 3 off 14 balls. Bangladesh eventually bowled Indonesia out for just 58 runs in 17.3 overs, completing a comprehensive 71-run victory and wrapping up a dominant performance with the ball.
Nahida Akter was outstanding with a brilliant spell of 3/15, while Marufa Akter provided excellent support with an impressive 2/6. Sanjida Akter Meghla and Fahima Khatun also chipped in with a wicket each. Nahida Akter’s outstanding 3/15 spell earned her the well-deserved Player of the Match award. Bangladesh will face Sri Lanka in their next fixture on Sunday, 6 September, while Indonesia will take on Sri Lanka on Wednesday, 2 September.
