Dambulla, July 28: Harshitha Samarawickrama's unbeaten 69 and skipper Chamari Athapaththu's brilliant 61 off 43 balls led Sri Lanka Women to their first Women's Asia Cup title. The team triumphed over seven-time champions India by eight wickets at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on Sunday.
India, electing to bat first, posted a formidable 165/6 in their 20 overs, thanks to a stellar half-century by opener Smriti Mandhana (60 off 47) and a late cameo by Richa Ghosh (30 off 14). Despite early setbacks, Jemimah Rodrigues (29 off 16) and Ghosh ensured India finished strong, with Mandhana’s innings featuring ten boundaries setting the tone for the innings.
Sri Lanka's run chase began shakily with the early loss of Vishmi Gunaratne, run out cheaply. However, the experienced Chamari Athapaththu and Harshitha Samarawickrama steadied the innings with a crucial 87-run partnership for the second wicket. Athapaththu, who had accumulated over 300 runs in the tournament, delivered a captain’s knock, reaching her half-century in just 32 balls. Her aggressive 61 off 43 balls, adorned with nine fours and two sixes, laid a solid foundation for the chase.
Deepti Sharma provided India a breakthrough by bowling Athapaththu around her legs, but the damage had already been done. With 72 runs needed from the last eight overs, Harshitha took charge, crafting an unbeaten 69-run knock that guided Sri Lanka to victory. Her calm and composed innings under pressure were complemented by Kavisha Dilhari’s quickfire 30 off 16 balls, ensuring the hosts reached their target comfortably with eight balls to spare.
On the bowling front, Kavisha Dilhari was Sri Lanka's standout performer, claiming 2-36 in her four overs. Udeshika Prabodhani, Sachini Nisansala, and Chamari Athapaththu each picked up a wicket, keeping India’s powerful batting lineup in check.
