India Reclaim Women’s Asia Cup Title

Two years after losing the Women’s Asia Cup final to Sri Lanka, India have reclaimed the title in emphatic fashion. India beat Sri Lanka by 72 runs in a one-sided final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday night to lift the Women’s Asia Cup trophy for a record eighth time.

After winning the toss and opting to bat, India posted a formidable 183 for 5, thanks largely to a blistering opening partnership between Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana.

Shafali set the tone with an aggressive 68 off just 39 balls. She reached her half-century in only 27 balls and struck nine boundaries and two sixes during her innings. Mandhana was equally fluent, scoring 59 off 39 balls. She brought up her fifty from 35 deliveries before being run out. Her innings included five fours and three sixes.

On Dubai’s slow pitch, a target of 184 was always going to be a daunting challenge in the women’s T20 format. Sri Lanka struggled to keep pace from the outset and never looked capable of mounting a serious chase.

Left-arm spinner Shree Charani led India’s attack with an impressive four for 20, while Deepti Sharma also bowled effectively to keep the Sri Lankan batters under pressure. Sri Lanka were eventually restricted to 111.

Captain Chamari Athapaththu top-scored for Sri Lanka with 36 off 32 balls, but her effort was not enough to prevent a comprehensive defeat.

With the 72-run victory, India not only avenged their defeat to Sri Lanka in the previous final but also reclaimed the Women’s Asia Cup crown in style.