Sri Lanka beat India to win Women’s Asia Cup

WEB DESK: Sri Lanka secured their maiden Women’s Asia Cup title on Sunday by defeating India by eight wickets in the match held at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium.

India, choosing to bat first after winning the toss, set a target of 165 for 6. Smriti Mandhana led the innings with a robust 60 off 47 balls, which included 10 fours. Richa Ghosh added a late boost with a rapid 30 off 14 balls, featuring four boundaries and a six, helping India surpass the 150-run mark.

Despite a promising start with India reaching 44 without loss at the end of the powerplay, Sri Lankan bowlers, led by Kavisha Dilhari (2/36), made a strong comeback.

In response, Sri Lanka executed an impressive chase, driven by Chamari Athapaththu, Harshita Samarawickrama, and Dilhari. Athapaththu’s innings of 61 set a solid foundation before her dismissal in the 12th over.

Harshita, who had earlier dropped two catches, redeemed herself with a decisive half-century. Her unbeaten 69 off 50 balls, including two sixes and six fours, alongside Dilhari’s quickfire 30 off 16 balls, propelled Sri Lanka to victory in the 19th over, amid the cheers of a packed Dambulla crowd.

Playing XIs

India: Smriti Mandhana, Shefali Verma, Uma Chetry, Harmanpreet Kaur(c), Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh(w), Deepti Sharma, Pooja Vastrakar, Radha Yadav, Tanuja Kanwar, Renuka Thakur Singh

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Sri Lanka: Vishmi Gunaratne, Chamari Athapaththu(c), Harshitha Samarawickrama, Kavisha Dilhari, Nilakshi de Silva, Anushka Sanjeewani(w), Hasini Perera, Sugandika Kumari, Inoshi Priyadharshani, Udeshika Prabodhani, Sachini Nisansala

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