Women's Asia Cup: Harmanpreet Kaur reacts after semifinal win against…

Defending champions India secured a place in the Women's T20 Asia Cup 2026 final with a convincing 40-run victory over Bangladesh in the first semifinal at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Opting to bat first, India posted a competitive total of 149/6, spearheaded by opener Shafali Verma's explosive 64 off 40 balls, along with crucial middle-order contributions from Harmanpreet Kaur, Richa Ghosh, and Deepti Sharma. India’s spin attack then restricted Bangladesh's run chase, limiting them to 109/7. Deepti led the bowling attack with figures of 3/26, while Shree Charani chipped in with 1/14. newsbetting.club

Captain Harmanpreet Kaur praised her bowlers' discipline on a surface that offered some turn.

"Happy with the way things are going. Happy with the way our batting and bowling is going. There was a value to the good balls. If you were giving revs, then you were giving value to the balls. Spinners from both teams bowled well today; batters had it hard, spinners used the pitch really well," Harmanpreet said.

She also pointed out the crucial lower-order runs, adding, "The small partnerships matter, especially on a pitch like this. Richa also played a few valuable shots. Deepti was excellent with the ball and got us a few breakthroughs."

Bangladesh captain reacts after India loss

Player of the Match Shafali Verma said the extreme humidity made batting difficult and forced her to adjust her attacking approach.

"Very humid out there. Sometimes I can't even breathe, but I had to relax. I didn't get those balls early on, and I tried to play grounded, and I got a few chances. I know it's my job to hit sixes and fours in the powerplay, so I tried to do that." Verma said.

Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana rued costly fielding errors and a lacklustre powerplay response.

"We didn't bowl well, unlike the other last three games. We fielded well in other games, not today; we put down chances. That was the pressure, I guess, just a bad day for the whole team," Nigar reflected. She added, "We really wanted to restrict them to a total we could chase; our batting powerplay was not good too. We bowled well, we created our chances, we couldn't capitalise."

IPL team owners and other Indian investors have shown early interest in acquiring Big Bash League (BBL) franchises after Cricket Australia (CA) opened select teams to private investment. However, prospective buyers are reportedly wary of the commercial restrictions attached to the ownership model.

Raine Group, a US-based merchant bank, is managing the privatisation process after overseeing the equity sales for The Hundred in England. Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg has called it a billion-dollar opportunity to bring private investment into Australian cricket over the next decade.

IPL Owners See Red Flags in Cricket Australia’s BBL Model

According to Cricbuzz, the Melbourne Renegades are the only BBL franchise currently available for a 100 percent acquisition. Cricket Australia is overseeing the sale instead of Cricket Victoria, with the deal expected to be completed by Christmas.

However, the new owner will have to build the team’s brand and fan base from scratch. The Hobart Hurricanes and Perth Scorchers are expected to be next, but private investors will reportedly be limited to 49 percent stakes. IPL owners usually prefer controlling stakes in overseas leagues.

The model is different from other leagues where Indian investors have entered. IPL groups have full ownership of teams in the SA20, ILT20, CPL, and Major League Cricket, while some investors in The Hundred also hold controlling stakes or significant operational control.

Cricket Australia Wants to Retain Control Over Big Bash Operations

Cricket Australia chairman Mike Baird has made it clear that the governing body will retain control over key areas of Australian cricket. Speaking about the investment model, Baird said:

“CA and its members will maintain control over the most significant aspects of Australian Cricket operations, including international scheduling, player availability, the Big Bash Leagues salary caps, branding proposals as well as the reserve price for a licence to operate that must be achieved, and approval of investors.”

According to Cricbuzz, Cricket New South Wales also opposes private investment in the Big Bash League. The disagreement has added to the challenges around the proposed ownership model, while IPL investors continue to assess the commercial terms.

GMR, co-owner of Delhi Capitals, had previously explored a partnership with Cricket NSW. The group held talks in Sydney during the fifth Test of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. GMR also owns Hampshire County Cricket Club in England.

Player Availability and Travel Add to IPL Owners’ Concerns

The availability of Australian stars is a major concern for potential investors. The Big Bash League usually runs alongside Australia’s international season, unlike the IPL, where franchises have greater certainty over the availability of leading Indian players.

Pat Cummins has played only seven BBL matches since 2016, while he has played 76 IPL games. The BCCI also ensures the availability of contracted and marquee players for the IPL, giving franchises greater commercial certainty.

Overseas player availability is another concern. The BBL competes with leagues in South Africa, the UAE and Bangladesh, while Australia’s higher taxes could make those tournaments more attractive to international players.

Travel could also increase costs for BBL franchises. A trip to Perth can take around five to six hours by air, while teams in the SA20 generally face much shorter journeys between cities.

Potential investors are also looking at Cricket Australia’s media rights deal and the influence of the Australian Cricketers Association. CA is currently three years into a seven-year broadcast agreement. Most BBL teams are reportedly profitable, which could attract investors.

An IPL source told Cricbuzz: “The ECB was difficult; CA is five times tougher to negotiate with.”

Also read: Cricket Australia begins BBL privatisation process with Melbourne Renegades license sale

Cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar shared some of his fondest memories on social media. Recalling his special connection with his cricket bat, which played a key role in his victories, he revealed how the bat was far more than just a piece of equipment to him.

"To me, a bat is not just a tool. I know exactly what it feels like when I hold it in my hands. That is why I pay special attention to even the smallest details," Sachin said. He recalled that whenever necessary, he would pull out his carpentry kit and make adjustments to the bat himself. He explained that he would work on it until he achieved the exact shape and grip he wanted.

Sachin added that he remembers those quiet moments fondly. "In fact, those memories are not just about the bat, but about making that bat my own through that process," he concluded.

Sachin Tendulkar recently posted about the US Open

Earlier this week, Sachin Tendulkar hailed Ben Shelton and Carlos Alcaraz after the tennis stars delivered one of the greatest matches in US Open history.

In a topsy-turvy match, Shelton knocked out the defending US Open champion Carlos Alcaraz with a 6-7(5), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6(10-7) win, with the match ending at half past three at night.

Tendulkar, who is a tennis fan himself, took to social media and praised the two players for their effort throughout the match.

'That was some tennis! Every time it looked like one of them had the match, the other fought his way back. And then it came down to the final few points. Well played, Ben Shelton! Tough luck, Carlos. Coming back after an injury makes this one even tougher' Sachin Tendulkar tweeted.

Ben Shelton prevailed against Alcaraz in one of the greatest matches in US Open history. Shelton will face Frances Tiafoe in an all-American semi-final at the US Open. Karen Khachanov will take on top seed Alexander Zverev in the other semi-final

In the women's division, Elena Rybakina and Aryna Sabalenka are set to battle it out for the US Open title on Saturday.