Lagatar24 desk
New Delhi, Oct 15: India continued to maintain their dominance in the Women’s Asia Cup with an eight-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the final at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, Sylhet on Saturday for their seventh title in eight editions.
Moreover, Sri Lanka, who were playing their first tournament final in 14 years, got to a poor start after opting to bat on a slow and turning pitch. They only managed 65 for nine which India chased in 8.3 overs. Smriti Mandhana struck a sublime 51 not out off 25 balls.
Following a mix-up with Anushka Sanjeewani, who was run out six balls later, Sri Lankan skipper Chamari Athapaththu was run out in the third over, starting a procession.
Hasini Perera was sent back by Renuka on the first ball she encountered. Renuka has been in excellent form since the August Commonwealth Games. After checking her stroke, the left-handed batswoman was caught at cover, leaving Sri Lanka at nine for four.
The Sri Lankans desperately needed a partnership, but Kavisha Dilhari’s dismissal when attempting to play an oncoming Renuka delivery across the line left them at 16 for 5.
Nilakshi de Silva attempted to cut a ball close to her body, but instead played on to her stumps, giving Rajeshwari Gayakwad her first wicket. Being bowled out for a sub-50 total at 32 for eight seemed quite certain, but Ranaweera’s unbeaten 18 from 22 balls spared them the humiliation.
Shafali Verma and Jemimah Rodrigues were cheaply lost by India during the run chase. However, both batters performed admirably throughout the competition, with Jemimah making a successful comeback from injury and Shafali returning to form.
Along with captain Harmanpreet Kaur, the graceful Mandhana played some superb strokes to complete the formality. Smriti put in six boundaries and three sixes. She appropriately completed the victory by hitting a maximum off Oshadi Ranasinghe.
