NEW DELHI: Tejal Hasanbis struck a composed 51 not out off 34 balls on a sluggish surface before leg spinner Prema Rawat spun a web around the batters as India A women's cricket team outclassed Bangladesh A women's cricket team by 46 runs in a low scoring final to successfully defend the ACC Women's Asia Cup Rising Stars title on Sunday.

Reduced to 44 for four, India were in early trouble before Hasanbis, who has represented the senior side in ODIs, stitched together a crucial 89 run partnership for the fifth wicket with captain Radha Yadav, who made 36 off 30 balls, to lift the total to 134 for seven in 20 overs.

Given the challenging conditions and the depth in India’s bowling attack, the Radha led side had enough on the board and bowled Bangladesh out for 88 in 19.1 overs to seal a comfortable win.

Prema spins web as Bangladesh falter

Prema was the standout performer with the ball, returning figures of 3 for 12 in four overs. Fresh from being part of Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s title winning campaign in the WPL, she tossed the ball up bravely and extracted sharp turn from the surface.

Bangladesh never really settled in the chase, losing their first wicket for 12 in the third over when Ishma Tanjim was caught off pacer Saima Thakor after an ambitious charge down the track.

Prema struck with a classical leg break that bounced slightly extra to find the outside edge of Shamima Sultana, triggering a steady collapse.

India A had also defeated Bangladesh A in the inaugural final in 2023, continuing their dominance in the competition.

Earlier, batting first on a tricky pitch, India A felt the squeeze as the top order failed to fire, but Hasanbis showed calmness and intent. She scored at a strike rate of 150, far ahead of the rest of the batters, and cleared the ropes twice while Radha provided solid support to turn the game decisively in India’s favour.

(With PTI Inputs)