Date: 28 July, 2024
Summary:Sri Lanka claimed their maiden Women’s Asia Cup 2024 title after defeating India in a decisive match, making history in front of their home crowd.
Match Highlights:
- Chamari Athapaththu: 61 runs
- Harshitha Samarawickrama: 69* runs (Player of the Match)
- India’s Top Performers: Smriti Mandhana (60), Jemimah Rodrigues (29), Richa Ghosh (30)
Match Report:
Sri Lanka won their first Women’s Asia Cup title in 2024 by beating India in a strong run-chase on Sunday.This victory was particularly significant as it marked only the second time in nine final appearances that India did not win the Women’s Asia Cup. The previous instance was in 2018, when Bangladesh beat India by three wickets.
Key Performers:
- Player of the Match: Harshitha Samarawickrama (69* from 51)
- Player of the Tournament: Chamari Athapaththu (304 runs and three wickets)
Detailed Match Analysis:
First Innings: India, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, won the toss and opted to bat first. They started positively but faced setbacks in the middle overs with the wickets of Shafali Varma (16), Uma Chetry (9), and Harmanpreet Kaur (11). Contributions from Smriti Mandhana (60 from 47), Jemimah Rodrigues (29), and Richa Ghosh (30 from 14) helped India reach a total of 165/6.
Second Innings: Sri Lanka faced an early setback when Vishmi Gunaratne was run out for 1. However, the experienced skipper Chamari Athapaththu and Harshitha Samarawickrama stabilized the innings. After a cautious start, scoring only 28 runs in the first five overs, Sri Lanka accelerated by taking 16 runs off the sixth over.
Despite losing Athapaththu (61 from 43) in the 12th over, Samarawickrama (69* from 51) and Kavisha Dilhari (30* from 16) guided Sri Lanka to victory, finishing the game in the 19th over.
Historical Context:
This win adds another feather to Athapaththu’s cap. Earlier this year, Sri Lanka won the Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier, securing their place in the Women’s T20 World Cup in Bangladesh. Additionally, they achieved a 2-1 series win over South Africa away from home.
Women’s Asia Cup Winners History:
| Year | Format | Winner |
| 2004 | ODI | India |
| 2005-06 | ODI | India |
| 2006 | ODI | India |
| 2008 | ODI | India |
| 2012 | T20I | India |
| 2016 | T20I | India |
| 2018 | T20I | Bangladesh |
| 2022 | T20I | India |
| 2024 | T20I | Sri Lanka |
