Dubai: Shafali Verma, a key player for the Indian women's cricket team, is approaching the upcoming Asia Cup semi-final against Bangladesh as a new challenge, despite her recent successes. She has been instrumental in India's campaign, amassing 104 runs across three matches. Her partnership with vice-captain Smriti Mandhana has been a strong point for the team.

According to International Cricket Council, Shafali's confidence stems from her previous performance against Bangladesh during the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026, where she was named Player of the Match. However, she emphasized the importance of starting fresh in the semi-final match at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

India's team has had time to regroup after a decisive victory over Pakistan, with a four-day break allowing for recovery and practice sessions. Shafali expressed readiness for the semi-finals, highlighting the team's preparation and the need to adapt to Dubai's spin-friendly conditions, which are similar to those in India.

While the openers have provided stability, issues with the middle order persist, echoing challenges from the Women's T20 World Cup. Nevertheless, Shafali expressed confidence in her teammates, particularly the finishers, believing they will perform well under pressure.

The Indian team is set to face Bangladesh with a focus on overcoming previous challenges and capitalizing on their preparation and familiarity with the playing conditions.