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.
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.
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:
Despite these setbacks, India managed to post a competitive total of 165/6 in their allotted 20 overs, thanks to significant contributions from:
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.
Sri Lanka successfully chased down the target in the 19th over, securing a historic win and sending the home crowd into raptures.
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.
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.
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:
Year | Format | Winner |
---|---|---|
2004 | ODI | India |
2005-06 | ODI | India |
2006 | ODI | India |
2008 | ODI | India |
2012 | T20I | India |
2016 | T20I | India |
2018 | T20I | Bangladesh |
2022 | T20I | India |
2024 | T20I | Sri Lanka |
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:
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