Shafali Verma's sparkling 64 off 40 and a disciplined bowling effort helped India beat Bangladesh by 40 runs in the Women's Asia Cup semifinal in Dubai on Thursday.

India, who were put in to bat after Bangladesh won the toss, posted 149/7, with Shafali providing the impetus at the top of the order. She struck 7 fours and 3 sixes in a charmed knock that saw her dropped thrice and survive a straightforward run-out chance, but it helped India add precious runs against the hard new ball as batting got progressively tougher as the match played out.

After Smriti Mandhana departed for just 2 early, Shafali and Pratika Rawal steadied the innings with a 50-run second-wicket partnership. Rawal made 20 off 24 before she was caught at cover attempting to take on Rabeya Khan, leaving India 58/2.

Shafali, however, continued to attack. She reached her fifty from 35 balls, her 20th in the format, and then accelerated, striking a six and two fours in the 14th over before finally falling for 64, caught at deep mid-wicket off Sultana Khatun.

At 92/3 after 14 overs, India still needed a strong finish. Harmanpreet Kaur made only six from her first 18 balls as Bangladesh's spinners kept her quiet, but the India captain found another gear late in the innings, scoring 18 from her next 10 deliveries. She finished unbeaten on 24 off 28.

Richa Ghosh added a useful 21 off 16 before Deepti Sharma's late cameo of 13 from six balls, including a four and a six, pushed India towards the 150 mark. India scored 53 runs in the final five overs after managing only 51 in the previous nine.

Bangladesh made a steady start in the chase, reaching 26 without loss in the sixth over before Shree Charani broke the opening stand by dismissing Juairiya Ferdous for 14. Deepti Sharma then picked three of the next four wickets to fall, and kept Bangladesh from building any momentum.

Bangladesh's lower order managed a few late boundaries, but the asking rate had climbed beyond their reach. Nandni Sharma returned for the final over and finished the innings with two wickets, including a hit-wicket dismissal of Rabeya Khan as Bangladesh ended on 109/7.

Brief Scores: India 149/6 (Shafali Verma 64; Sultana Khatun 2-30) beat Bangladesh 109/7 (Shorna Akter 22*; Deepti Sharma 3-26) by 40 runs.