India Defeat Sri Lanka by 72 Runs to Claim Eighth Women’s Asia Cup Crown

Delivering a dominant all-round performance in Dubai, India trounced Sri Lanka by 72 runs to win the Women’s Asia Cup title for the eighth time. Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana set the game up for India with a record opening stand, before Sri Lanka were blown away by India’s spinners.

Opting to bat after winning the toss, India captain Harmanpreet Kaur’s decision reaped rewards almost immediately. Shafali and Mandhana started on the aggressive front, keeping Sri Lanka bowlers under pressure during the powerplay overs.

The first wicket partnership of 129 runs is also the highest for any wicket in Women’s T20 Asia Cup history. A destroyer, Shafali reached her half-century in just 24 balls — the fastest fifty ever scored at the World Cup. The score was eventually 68 off 36 balls.

Mandhana started slower but caught up with her opening partner after being a little bit more cautious. She reached the 50 mark off just 36 balls and ended up making 59. After a stand of 108 runs at the presentation, their collaboration laid the stage for India to build an enormous total before Sri Lanka broke through at last in the 13th over.

Mandhana then departed due to a run out, after Kaur failed to call her back, and neither Richa Ghosh nor the captain could build on solid starts. India however, ended well with G Kamalini hitting a four and six off the final two balls to bring up 183 for 5.

And in reply, Sri Lanka’s never really gained traction. Imesha Dulani also started with a boundary but was bowled when trying to play another innovative shot. Their bowlers kept the pressure on relentlessly, with Chamari Athapaththu attempting to hold up her side’s resistance as she eventually fell for a valiant 36.

After an attack down the pitch, having to try and clobber one over long-on, Deepti Sharma bowled Athapaththu in the tenth over; Richa Ghosh was quick in completing a stumping. Deepti then picked up the wicket of Vishmi Gunaratne in the same over as Sri Lanka slipped to 63 for 4.

They were clearly dictated thereafter by India’s spinners. N Shree Charani was the most successful bowler with 4 for 20, while Deepti bagged 3 for 19. The disciplined bowling of the West Indies meant that Sri Lanka’s middle and lower order were left high and dry as wickets continued to tumble, eventually bowled out for 111 on the final ball.

Sri Lanka failed to capitalize on the chances as India dropped five catches during their innings. With this win, India has continued their recent run of dominance over Sri Lanka in Asia Cup finals — they now lead their head-to-head record in final meetings with Sri Lanka 6-1.

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