Dubai: Opener Shefali Verma and vice-captain Smriti Mandhana's aggressive half-centuries led India to a 72-run win over defending champions Sri Lanka on Sunday thanks to a superb performance by the bowlers. India's record eighth win with this win Women's Asia Cupwon the title of In front of the spin of Sri Charani and Deepti Sharma, Sri Lanka's innings ended for just 111 runs.
After winning the toss and batting first, India scored 183 for 5 in 20 overs. Shefali Verma and Smriti Mandhana opened with a blistering 129 runs in just 77 balls. Shefali scored 68 and Mandhana scored 59. In the latter stages the Sri Lankan bowlers gained some control over the Indian batsmen; But India made a big score.
Shefali's record half century
Shefali batted aggressively from the start and created pressure on the Sri Lankan bowlers. She collected 18 runs in the first over of skipper Chamri Atapatt, hitting two sixes and a four. She completed her half century in just 24 balls. Along with this, she holds the record for the fastest fifty in the Women's Asia Cup. Earlier this record was in the name of Smriti Mandhan. Mandhana scored a half-century in 2022 in 25 balls.
India score 98 not out
India scored 57 runs in the Powerplay without losing a single wicket. After the tenth over, India's score was 98 not out. Shefali scored 68 runs. Her and Mandhan's 129-run partnership ended when Chamundi Prabodha dismissed Shefali.
Aggressive blows of memory
Mandhana completed his half-century in 35 balls. She initially supported Shefali with a restrained batting and later hit aggressively. However, she was run out due to a misunderstanding while running with skipper Harmanpreet Kaur. Mandhana was run out for the third time in this tournament.
India were allowed only 43 runs
After 15 overs, India were 140 for 2 and the team was on course to cross the 200-run mark. However, in the last five overs, the Sri Lankan bowlers bowled at the perfect pace and allowed India to score only 43 runs. Richa Ghosh scored 17 runs off 13 balls, while Harmanpreet Kaur scored 14 runs off 14 balls. G. Kamalini hit a four and a six off the last two balls to take India to 183.
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