Sri Lanka’s women’s cricket team made history on July 28th by capturing their first-ever Women’s T20 Asia Cup title. The triumph was a testament to the team’s resilience and determination, as they overcame a formidable Indian side in the final.
Chasing a challenging target of 166, Sri Lanka’s openers, Chamari Athapaththu and Harshitha Samarawickrama, set the tone with a blistering start. Athapaththu, the team’s captain, led from the front with a 43-ball 61, while Samarawickrama remained unbeaten on 69 from 51 deliveries. Their partnership of 113 runs laid the foundation for Sri Lanka’s victory.
India’s bowlers struggled to contain the Sri Lankan batters, with only Deepti Sharma managing to pick up a wicket. Kavisha Dilhari was the pick of the Sri Lankan bowlers, claiming two wickets for 36 runs.
Earlier, India had posted a competitive total of 165/6 in their 20 overs. Smriti Mandhana top-scored for India with a 47-ball 60, while Richa Ghosh provided a late flourish with a rapid 30.
Sri Lanka’s victory was a culmination of years of hard work and dedication. The team had shown glimpses of their potential in recent years, but they had never managed to reach the pinnacle of Asian cricket. This triumph is a testament to the team’s growth and development, and it will undoubtedly inspire future generations of Sri Lankan cricketers.
