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INDIA FOCUSED PURELY ON BANGLADESH IN SEMI-FINAL QUEST

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Media release

  • India take on Bangladesh in must-win clash for both sides
  • Shafali Verma has targeted a bounce-back from India after defeat to South Africa
  • Bangladesh are looking to build from the top of the order in their own bid for the semi-finals

Shafali Verma insists India have to concentrate exclusively on the challenge of Bangladesh to keep their ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 hopes alive.

The reigning ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup champions will be looking to bounce back at Old Trafford after they were beaten by six wickets by South Africa last time out.

India have four points after three matches and are second in their group thanks to their superior net run rate, with South Africa and Bangladesh also on four points after three fixtures.

And with a game against Australia to come in their final group match, Verma is well-aware of the importance of the clash and explained it won’t be easy to come away with a victory.

“Bangladesh is a team we can't take lightly; they came to this tournament to play good cricket,” said the 22-year-old.

“Our focus is to take things game by game and we know we have to win two games. We'll try to give our best cricket tomorrow and try and win it.

“Talking about the next two games, we all know how important they will be. We go match by match. We play tomorrow against Bangladesh and then we have another game. But we all know that all the games are crucial.”

The opening batter has also been making important contributions with the ball and has so far taken five wickets in three matches, which included figures of three for 20 in her country’s win over the Netherlands. It is a role she is relishing despite it proving a challenge at times.

“I enjoy my bowling a lot but in the World Cup it is not easy to bowl,” she continued. “I have to keep varying and changing the pace.”

But despite the setback against South Africa, Verma explained the mood around the camp is high and that the team will be ready to take to the field in Manchester.

Verma added: “Talking about yesterday, we had a team bonding session, and with that, we did a bit of cricket and skills and we really enjoyed it. We had very good preparation.”

With Bangladesh firmly in the mix to book a spot in the semi-finals, Sobhana Mostary hopes the team’s openers can replicate the 67-run stand they put on against the Netherlands in order to give the Tigresses the best chance of success.

“We're looking at our batting because compared to our country, things have been very different,” said the 24-year-old.

“We need to adapt to our conditions, our openers went well in one match but in two matches they fell down. We're thinking about the next game, and this ground also, it will help the spinners and the pace bowlers too. That is something we're thinking about.”

And while the batter knows the challenge ahead will be a tough one, she is confident in her team’s ability to deliver.

“We've got two more games to go and those two games against India and South Africa will be very hard,” she added.

“Maybe if we win our next two matches we'll get to the semi-finals so we're looking forward. We know this team is good so we're planning and will move forward.”