Women’s Asia Cup: Shafali Backs Middle-order To Fire In Semi-final Against Bangladesh

By Pramit Meher

**Shafali Trusts India's Middle-Order to Step Up in Asia Cup Semi vs Bangladesh** Dubai: With India's middle-order looking a bit off the pace, opener Shafali Verma isn't panicking. Ahead of Thursday's Women's Asia Cup semifinal against Bangladesh at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, she's throwing her full support behind the guys (and galz) batting below. Sure, the middle-order has struggled for rhythm through the group stage—remember that nasty collapse of 8 wickets for 46 against Thailand? But Shafali swears it's just a temporary bad patch, not a real problem. "They're all excellent batters and great finishers. Bharti and Richa especially bring a lot in the middle-order. I'm confident they'll deliver when it counts," she said at the prematch presser. India, the 20-time champions, walked into the semis off a comfortable 7-wicket win over Pakistan. Shafali reckons those 4 days of rest landed perfectly—enough to recover, sharpen the plans, and recharge before the knockout grind. On her own form: 104 runs in 3 games so far. But she's keeping her head straight. "Every time I walk out, I start from zero. The only thing I carry forward is confidence." And on these Dubai pitches—slow, spin-friendly—she says it feels like home. Familiar conditions, familiar bounce. India should adapt quickly. As for any XI changes? She's quick to defer: "Team selection is the captain's call. My job is just to play my best." Bangladesh await. India's got the talent—now they need the middle-order to fire. 🏏 *Source: IANS* Source: Cricketnmore