Sri Lanka clinched their maiden Women’s Asia Cup title with a thrilling victory over India, winning by 8 wickets in a historic match at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on Sunday. This victory marks a significant milestone for Sri Lankan women’s cricket, showcasing their growth and potential on the international stage.
This was also just the second time in their nine final appearances that India failed to win the Women’s Asia Cp.u
India, having won the toss, elected to bat first and set a competitive total of 165/6 in their allotted 20 overs. The Indian batting lineup displayed a mix of resilience and aggression, but they were ultimately contained by a disciplined Sri Lankan bowling attack. Smriti Mandhana anchored the innings with a solid knock, while captain Harmanpreet Kaur contributed with her aggressive stroke play during the middle overs. Jemimah Rodrigues added valuable runs with her quickfire cameo towards the end of the innings. Despite these efforts, India couldn’t fully capitalize on the platform set by their top order, with Sri Lankan bowlers striking at crucial intervals to restrict them to 165/6.
Chasing a target of 166, Sri Lanka got off to a steady start but faced a moment of concern when their captain, Chamari Athapaththu, was dismissed for 61 at the end of the 12th over. At this point, India seemed to have a glimmer of hope, but Sri Lanka’s middle order had other plans. Athapaththu led from the front with a composed and commanding innings, laying the foundation for the chase. Despite earlier lapses in the field, Harshita Samarawickrama redeemed herself with a brilliant counter-attacking half-century. Her aggressive approach put the Indian bowlers on the back foot and shifted the momentum in Sri Lanka’s favor. Kavisha Dilhari played a crucial role in the latter stages of the innings, with her powerful hitting ensuring that Sri Lanka stayed ahead of the required run rate. Her partnership with Harshita was instrumental in steering the team to victory.
When Athapaththu fell for 61, India’s hopes were reignited. However, the experienced Harshita took charge, ensuring there were no further hiccups in the chase. Despite her fielding errors, Harshita’s batting heroics more than compensated for the mistakes, highlighting her all-round capabilities and mental strength. The packed Dambulla crowd played a significant role in lifting the spirits of the Sri Lankan team. The enthusiastic support from the stands created an electrifying atmosphere, motivating the players to give their best on the field.
Sri Lanka’s victory in the Women’s Asia Cup final is a testament to their growth as a formidable team in women’s cricket. Their well-rounded performance, characterized by strategic batting, disciplined bowling, and resilient fielding, paved the way for this historic win. India, despite their valiant efforts, fell short in the final moments, but their performance throughout the tournament showcased their depth and talent. This match will undoubtedly serve as a memorable chapter in the history of women’s cricket, celebrating the rise of Sri Lanka as Asia Cup champions. Clinches Historic First Women’s Asia Cup Title with Thrilling Victory Over India
Dambulla : Sri Lanka clinched their maiden Women’s Asia Cup title with a thrilling victory over India, winning by 8 wickets in a historic match at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on Sunday. This victory marks a significant milestone for Sri Lankan women’s cricket, showcasing their growth and potential on the international stage.
This was also just the second time in their nine final appearances that India failed to win the Women’s Asia Cp.u
India, having won the toss, elected to bat first and set a competitive total of 165/6 in their allotted 20 overs. The Indian batting lineup displayed a mix of resilience and aggression, but they were ultimately contained by a disciplined Sri Lankan bowling attack. Smriti Mandhana anchored the innings with a solid knock, while captain Harmanpreet Kaur contributed with her aggressive stroke play during the middle overs. Jemimah Rodrigues added valuable runs with her quickfire cameo towards the end of the innings. Despite these efforts, India couldn’t fully capitalize on the platform set by their top order, with Sri Lankan bowlers striking at crucial intervals to restrict them to 165/6.
Chasing a target of 166, Sri Lanka got off to a steady start but faced a moment of concern when their captain, Chamari Athapaththu, was dismissed for 61 at the end of the 12th over. At this point, India seemed to have a glimmer of hope, but Sri Lanka’s middle order had other plans. Athapaththu led from the front with a composed and commanding innings, laying the foundation for the chase. Despite earlier lapses in the field, Harshita Samarawickrama redeemed herself with a brilliant counter-attacking half-century. Her aggressive approach put the Indian bowlers on the back foot and shifted the momentum in Sri Lanka’s favor. Kavisha Dilhari played a crucial role in the latter stages of the innings, with her powerful hitting ensuring that Sri Lanka stayed ahead of the required run rate. Her partnership with Harshita was instrumental in steering the team to victory.
When Athapaththu fell for 61, India’s hopes were reignited. However, the experienced Harshita took charge, ensuring there were no further hiccups in the chase. Despite her fielding errors, Harshita’s batting heroics more than compensated for the mistakes, highlighting her all-round capabilities and mental strength. The packed Dambulla crowd played a significant role in lifting the spirits of the Sri Lankan team. The enthusiastic support from the stands created an electrifying atmosphere, motivating the players to give their best on the field.
Sri Lanka’s victory in the Women’s Asia Cup final is a testament to their growth as a formidable team in women’s cricket. Their well-rounded performance, characterized by strategic batting, disciplined bowling, and resilient fielding, paved the way for this historic win. India, despite their valiant efforts, fell short in the final moments, but their performance throughout the tournament showcased their depth and talent. This match will undoubtedly serve as a memorable chapter in the history of women’s cricket, celebrating the rise of Sri Lanka as Asia Cup champions.
