Women’s Asia Cup T20 2024 Final : Harshitha and Athapaththu has secured Sri Lanka’s maiden Asia Cup title

India scored 165/6 in 20 overs, where as Sri Lanka scored 167/2 in 18.4 overs.

So, finally Sri Lanka beat India by 8 wickets.

Led by Harshitha Samarawickrama and skipper Chamari Athapaththu’s brisk half-centuries, Sri Lanka stunned seven-time champions India to clinch their maiden Asia Cup title with a comprehensive eight-wicket win in Dambulla on Sunday (July 28).

Smriti Mandhana’s second consecutive half-century and a strong finish from Richa Ghosh had propelled India to 165/6 from their 20 overs—a total that was just par for the conditions.

Sri Lanka’s bowlers struck at crucial moments to prevent India from gaining significant batting momentum.

Athapaththu (61 off 43) played a pivotal role in an 87-run partnership that laid the foundation for the chase.

Despite losing her well-set captain, Harshitha redeemed herself with a match-winning 69*, accelerating the chase and securing the win with eight balls to spare.

INDIA

Mandhana’s Solid Start

Powerplay: 44/0 [RR: 7.33, 4s: 8]
Sri Lanka kept the in-form Indian openers relatively quiet until the sixth over.

Mandhana, dropped on 10, unleashed a series of boundaries to power India to 44/0.

Mandhana Maintains Momentum Amidst Sri Lanka’s Strikes

Middle overs: 70/3 [RR: 7.78, 4s: 9]

Mandhana focused on rotating the strike as Sri Lanka took key wickets.

A 14-run over from Jemimah Rodrigues and Mandhana’s fifty helped India reach 115/3 by the end of the 15th over.

Ghosh’s Late Explosions Boost India

Death overs: 51/3 [RR: 10.2, 4s/6s: 4/2]
Despite a few setbacks, Richa Ghosh’s explosive 14-ball 30 provided India with a total of 165, though it ultimately wasn’t enough.

SRI LANKA

Athapaththu Leads the Reply

Powerplay: 44/1 [RR: 7.33, 4s/6s: 5/2]
Athapaththu’s aggressive play, including a powerful finish to the Powerplay, kept Sri Lanka in the game despite losing an early wicket.

Athapaththu and Harshitha Heat Up

Middle overs: 79/1 [RR: 8.77, 4s/6s: 8/2]
Athapaththu reached a 33-ball half-century, with Harshitha also making significant contributions.

Despite Athapaththu’s dismissal, Harshitha accelerated the innings with crucial boundaries.

Harshitha and Dilhari Seal the Victory

Death overs: 44/0 [RR: 12.9, 4s/6s: 3/2]
Harshitha and Kavisha Dilhari kept their composure to chase down the target, with Harshitha’s explosive final overs sealing the win.

Dilhari’s supporting role helped Sri Lanka achieve a historic victory in front of a jubilant home crowd.