Sri Lanka Clinches Maiden Asia Cup Title with Surprise Win over India.
Well-paced half-centuries by Harshitha Samarawickrama and captain Chamari Athapaththu led Sri Lanka to a stunning win against India in the Asia Cup. Pulled off in Dambulla on Sunday (July 28), this victory marks Sri Lanka's maiden Asia Cup triumph.
In the course of India's 20 overs, Smriti Mandhana contributed her second consecutive half-century, while Richa Ghosh played a solid finishing role, netting the team a total score of 165/6. Sri Lanka successfully stalled India's momentum by striking at important moments.
Athapaththu played a key role in the 87-run partnership that formed the basis for Sri Lanka's chase, racking up 61 off 43. Having earlier dropped both Mandhana and Ghosh, Harshitha played a redeeming role by scoring a match-winning 69.
During the majority of India's batting Powerplay, Sri Lanka managed to keep the dangerous Indian openers relatively subdued. Despite dropping Mandhana to offspinner Kavisha Dihari, Sri Lanka's bowling dynamics soon picked up the pace, allowing the team to finish with a respectable 44/0 in the first stage after choosing to bat first.
As Sri Lanka geared up in response to India's Powerplay, captain Athapaththu displayed a comfortable command over the course of the game. Her productive batting session proved crucial in reducing the margin and keeping Sri Lanka within reach of India's total of 165. Athapaththu led Sri Lanka's reply, scoring quick runs after selling her fellow opener in the second over. She expertly guided her team out of a tricky situation with 6,6,4 in the final Powerplay over.
