On September 13, India Women had defeated Sri Lanka Women by 72 runs in the final of Women’s Asia Cup 2026. The match was held at Dubai International Cricket Stadium. India, winning the toss chose to bat first and scored 183/5 in 20 overs. Sri Lanka fell short of their target and bundled out for 111 in 20 overs. It was India’s eighth Women’s Asia Cup title overall.
India’s innings was lifted by the brace of Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana, who posted 129 together up top. Shafali was in commanding form scoring 68 off 39 deliveries, including nine fours and a couple of sixes. Mandhana made 59 off 39 balls, which included five fours and three sixes. During the initial half of the innings, their partnership ensured India remained well in command.
India had to battle early on as they lost both their openers quickly but the middle and lower order took India home with a strong compilation of runs. A late cameo by Gunalan Kamalini (15 not out off just 5 balls) took India to a total of 183/5.
Sri Lanka were set a target of 184 to win but stuttered as they repeated the same mistakes during their innings. The run-chasers were met with erratic bowling by the defending champions, and struggled to put up partnerships, with Captain Chamari Athapaththu top scoring with 36 from 32 balls. Vishmi Gunaratne scored 20 and Nilakshika Silva contributed 22. But Sri Lankan batsmen kept losing wickets at regular intervals, failing to stitch a match-winning partnership.
India’s bowlers then finished things off. It was Shree Charani, the runner up that led the net of their opponents and scored 4/20 while Deepti Sharma took 3/19 in total. Both Prema Rawat and Shafali Verma with the ball took one wicket each. Sri Lanka finally succumbed for 111, bowled out off the last ball of their innings.
It was the same result that stamped India’s authority on the final. Shafali Verma with 68 and also making an impact with the ball, was named Player of the Match. With this victory, India also got back the continental title they surrendered to Sri Lanka in the last edition of the competition: winning by 72 runs.
Match Result
- India Women – 183/5 (20 overs)
- Sri Lanka Women – 111 all out (20 overs)
- India Women won by 72 runs and became Women’s Asia Cup 2026 champions.
- Key performers: Shafali Verma 68, Smriti Mandhana 59, Shree Charani 4/20 and Deepti Sharma 3/19.
