India demonstrated their tactical superiority on Sunday, clinching a record-extending eighth Women’s Asia Cup championship by defeating Sri Lanka by 72 runs at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The comprehensive victory was anchored by an explosive start from India’s openers and solidified by a clinical display from the bowling unit, which dismantled the Sri Lankan lineup.
The foundation of India’s 183-run total was built by Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma, who established a formidable 129-run opening stand. Shafali was particularly aggressive, smashing 68 off 39 deliveries, including nine boundaries and two sixes. Her 24-ball half-century marked the fastest fifty in the tournament’s history, eclipsing Mandhana’s previous record of 25 balls set in 2022. Mandhana provided steady support with 59 off 39 balls, featuring five fours and three sixes.
This partnership proved to be statistically historic, standing as the highest opening stand in Women’s Asia Cup history and the largest partnership in any women’s T20I tournament final. It also highlighted the pair’s elite synergy; they have now amassed 3,909 runs together across 105 innings at an average of 38.32. Among the 14 pairs with over 1,500 shared runs, they are unique in maintaining a scoring rate exceeding eight runs per over.
While the middle order faced some pressure in maintaining the initial pace—with Harmanpreet Kaur contributing 14 and Richa Ghosh adding 17—a vital late cameo from Bharti Fulmali, who struck an unbeaten 15 off five balls, propelled India to a formidable 183 for five. For Sri Lanka, Mithali Ayodhya and captain Chamari Athapaththu each claimed a wicket, returning figures of 1/33 and 1/34, respectively.
In response, Sri Lanka initially appeared capable of a challenge, reaching 62 for two after 9.3 overs, with captain Athapaththu scoring 36. However, her dismissal proved to be the turning point, precipitating a swift collapse. The Sri Lankan side struggled to find momentum against the precision of Shree Charani, who finished with impressive figures of 4 for 20, and Deepti Sharma, who claimed 3 for 19. Ultimately, Sri Lanka were restricted to just 111 runs in their allotted 20 overs.
Shafali Verma concluded her campaign as the tournament’s leading run-scorer, accumulating 236 runs across five innings at a strike rate of 171.01. Her performance in the final cemented her status as only the second player in the 2024 edition to record three scores of 50 or more, joining Athapaththu in that achievement.
The road to this final victory for India included successful outings against Pakistan and Bangladesh, while Sri Lanka had secured their spot in the title match by defeating Pakistan in the semi-finals after a tense group stage that saw them edge out Bangladesh. The report also notes that after Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana set the platform with the bat, Shree Charani (4 for 20) and Deepti Sharma (3 for 19) produced a brilliant spell with the ball as India restricted Sri Lanka to 114 in 20 overs while defending 183. The report also notes that chasing 184, Sri Lanka appeared to be in contention at 62 for two after 9.3 overs, with captain Chamari Athapaththu leading the chase with a 36-run knock. The report also notes that however, her dismissal triggered a dramatic collapse, with Sri Lanka losing wickets in quick succession and eventually falling well short of the target as could muster only 111 in 20 overs. The report also notes that accumulating 236 runs in five innings at an average of 47.20 and a staggering strike rate of 171.01, shafali also finished as the tournament’s leading run-scorer. The report also notes that with 68 being her highest score, she registered three fifties. The report also notes that the opening duo’s 129-run partnership was another major milestone.