Sri Lanka Clinch Maiden Women’s Asia Cup Title with Comprehensive Win over India

Sri Lanka secured their first-ever Women’s Asia Cup title on Sunday, defeating the defending champions India in front of an ecstatic home crowd. This victory marks a significant milestone in Sri Lankan women’s cricket history and ends India’s long-standing dominance in the tournament.

A Rare Defeat for India in the Finals

This loss is only the second time in nine final appearances that India has failed to clinch the Women’s Asia Cup title. The previous instance occurred in 2018 when Bangladesh emerged victorious by a narrow margin of three wickets. India’s consistent performance in the tournament over the years makes Sri Lanka’s achievement even more remarkable.

The Final Match: A Thrilling Encounter

India’s Innings: A Competitive Total

Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur won the toss and elected to bat first, setting the stage for an exciting match. The Indian team got off to a promising start, but the Sri Lankan bowlers fought back in the middle overs, claiming crucial wickets:

• Shafali Varma (16)
• Uma Chetry (9)
• Harmanpreet Kaur (11)

Despite these setbacks, India managed to post a competitive total of 165/6 in their allotted 20 overs, thanks to significant contributions from:

• Smriti Mandhana: 60 runs off 47 balls
• Jemimah Rodrigues: 29 runs
• Richa Ghosh: A quickfire 30 runs off just 14 balls

Sri Lanka’s Chase: A Measured Approach

Sri Lanka’s run chase began with an early setback when Vishmi Gunaratne was run out for just 1 run. However, this did not deter the home team, as their experienced captain Chamari Athapaththu took control of the innings. Alongside Harshita Samarawickrama, Athapaththu steadied the ship and began to build a formidable partnership.

Key Moments in the Chase:

1. A cautious start, scoring only 28 runs in the first five overs
2. A momentum shift in the sixth over, where Sri Lanka scored 16 runs
3. Consistent run-scoring to keep up with the required rate
4. Loss of Athapaththu (61 runs off 43 balls) in the 12th over
5. Samarawickrama (69* off 51 balls) and Kavisha Dilhari (30* off 16 balls) steering the team to victory

Sri Lanka successfully chased down the target in the 19th over, securing a historic win and sending the home crowd into raptures.

Outstanding Performances

Player of the Match

Harshitha Samarawickrama was awarded the Player of the Match for her unbeaten 69 runs, which played a crucial role in Sri Lanka’s successful run chase.

Player of the Tournament

Chamari Athapaththu was named the Player of the Tournament for her exceptional all-round performance throughout the event. She amassed 304 runs and took three wickets, showcasing her value as a leader and a player.

Historical Context: Women’s Asia Cup Winners

The Women’s Asia Cup has been a prestigious tournament in women’s cricket since its inception in 2004. Here’s a look at the winners over the years:

Sri Lanka’s Rising Cricket Fortunes

This Asia Cup victory is the latest in a series of impressive achievements for the Sri Lankan women’s cricket team under the leadership of Chamari Athapaththu:

1. Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier: Sri Lanka won this tournament earlier in the year, securing their place in the upcoming Women’s T20 World Cup in Bangladesh.
2. Series Win Against South Africa: Prior to the Asia Cup, Sri Lanka recorded a significant 2-1 series victory over South Africa in an away series, demonstrating their ability to compete at the highest level.