Cricket NewsNewsWomen’s Asia Cup 2024: Sri Lanka Women’s Team Shock Indian Women’s Team...

Women’s Asia Cup 2024: Sri Lanka Women’s Team Shock Indian Women’s Team to Lift Maiden Trophy of Their History

Sri Lanka defeated defending champion India by eight wickets to win the women’s Asia Cup for the first time on Sunday. Thanks to skipper Chamari Athapaththu explosive fifty and Harshitha Samarawickrama’s steady half-century. 

India has lost a final for the second time in nine Asia Cup editions (WODI and WT20I) across all formats. India’s latest defeat in a Women’s Asia Cup final was in Kuala Lumpur in 2018 against Bangladesh.

With 166 set as their formidable target, Sri Lanka managed to reach 167 for the loss of only two wickets in 18.4 overs because of some excellent serving from their skipper Athapaththu (61b, 43b, 9×4, 2×6) and Harshitha Samarawickrama (69 not out, 51b, 6×4, 2×6).

The Lankans consistently maintained an advantage over their India as Athapaththu and Samarawickrama put together an 87-run stand. In 33 balls, the former reached her fifty, while in 43 balls, the latter exceeded her threshold.

Nearly every accessible spot on the field was used by Athapaththu to score runs, and her attack on left-arm spinner Tanuja Kanwar, whom she blasted for two fours and a six in her opening over, was impressive.

Read More: IPL Orange Cap 2024 || Purple Cap in IPL 2024

Samarawickrama was obviously weaker than her senior on the other end, but she made up for it with deft placements, including reverse sweeps off Deepti Sharma and Radha Yadav, two left-arm spinners. When Sri Lanka got into a somewhat safer zone, she quickened the pace and slog-swept six over mid-wicket on the bowling of Radha Yadav. 

Athapaththu appeared untouchable on the field until Deepti surprised everyone by bowling him around her legs with a fuller delivery in between. But those celebrations were short-lived when Samarawickrama found a capable companion in Kavisha Dilhari (30 not out, 16b, 1×4, 2×6), who helped the team win with Samarawickrama by putting up an unbeaten 73-run partnership off just 40 balls for the third wicket.

An equal share of credit should be given to the Lankan bowlers for restricting a group of free-flowing hitters in the Indian batting lineup.

Earlier, India reached a fighting total of 165/6 thanks to Smriti Mandhana’s conditions-defying half-century (60, 47b, 10×4), and the cameos of Jemimah Rodrigues (29, 16 balls, 3×4, 1×6) and Richa Ghosh (30, 14 balls, 4×4, 1×6) provided her with adequate support.

Akash Chopra
Akash Choprahttps://cricketcupworld.com
One of the best Cricket Critics. He is enthusiastic cricket lover who loves to write a deep down articles on cricket.
  • Explore tags ⟶
  • News

Latest Cricket News

Latest in cricket

Continue reading

Stokes Injury Concern Overshadows England’s Encouraging Start at Lord’s

England were left anxiously monitoring the fitness of captain Ben Stokes after he appeared to pick up a groin injury as he batted on day one in the third Test against India at Lord's. Stokes was progressing nicely on 32...

Gill, Akash Deep led India to a Crushing 336-run Victory Over England at Edgbaston

With a statement victory in the second Test of their tour of England, India crushed their hosts by a deva­stating 336 runs at Edgbaston to level the se­ries 1-1. The victory was made possible thanks to a historic performance...

England Tour of India 2025: Can India Save the Series After 1st Test Loss?

India got a lot of things right in their tour opener at Headingley. Rishabh Pant thrived with two audacious centuries. The openers did their job and laid the foundation with brilliant knocks. Their premier pacer made his presence count...

Enjoy exclusive access to all of our content

Get an online subscription and you can unlock any article you come across.