India’s strong batting and bowling performance helped them beat Srilanka by 72 runs and win their eight Asia Cup title. Batting first, the Indian team set Srilanka a target of 184 runs before bowling them out for 111 in 20 overs.
Toss
After winning the toss, the Indian team chose to bat first.
India Innings
Openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma gave India a strong start with their 129 run opening stand in the final. Shafali scored 68 runs from 39 balls before 17 year old Chamundi Praboda broke the strong opening stand. In the very next over, India lost well set Mandhana for 59 after running a tight single which was not there.
After the openers fell, India lost some momentum in their innings. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur scored 14 runs from 14 balls while Richa Ghosh made 17 runs from 13 balls. Replacing Pratika Rawal in the final, G Kamalini played a quick 15* from 5 balls and helped India cross 180 runs.
At the end of 20 overs India reached 183/5.
Wicket Takers Srilanka
Mithali Ayodhya (1/33 in 4 overs) , Chamari Athapaththu (1/34 in 4 overs) and Chamudi Praboda (1/40 in 4 overs).
Srilanka Innings
In the very first over, pacer Kranti Gaud dismissed Srilankan opener Imesha Dulani for just four runs. A 58 run second wicket partnership from 53 balls between Chamari Athapaththu and Vismi Gunaratne gave Srilanka hope. Deepti Sharma broke the crucial partnership by dismissing Srilankan captain Chamari Athapaththu for 36.
In the same over, Deepti Sharma dismissed Vishmi Gunaratne for 20 leaving Srilanka in trouble. Srilanka then lost wickets at regular intervals and were finally bowled out for 111 runs in 20 overs.
Once again Indian spinners shone with the ball taking nine of Srilanka’s ten wickets. Shree Charani was India’s best bowler with 4/20 while Deepti Sharma took 3/19.
Wicket Takers India
Shree Charani (4/20 in 4 overs) , Deepti Sharma (3/19 in 4 overs) , Kranti Gaud (1/8 in 2 overs) , Prema Rawat (1/22 in 3 overs) and Shafali Verma (1/23 in 4 overs).
The prize ceremony was cancelled after the Indian team refused to take part in the presentation ceremony. The BCCI instructed the Indian team to stay away from the official stage. The decision came after Asian Cricket Council president Mohsin Naqvi was present at the official trophy presentation ceremony. Naqvi also serves as Pakistan’s interior minister and India avoids receiving awards directly from senior Pakistani political leaders.