Sri Lanka’s chase never really gathered momentum, with Charani leading India’s attack with 4-20 as the hosts were bowled out for 111 in 20 overs. Chamari Athapaththu’s 36 and Vishmi Gunaratne’s 28 offered the only meaningful resistance before Deepti Sharma removed both batters in the 10th over.
Even after India dropped five catches, Sri Lanka were unable to threaten a side that had controlled the contest from the opening Power Play. By Tarkesh Jha September 14, 2026, 12:26:25 AM IST (Published)
Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana set up India’s record-extending eighth Women’s Asia Cup title with commanding half-centuries before Sree Charani and the bowlers completed a comprehensive 72-run victory over Sri Lanka in Dubai on Sunday. The opening pair put on 129 runs from just 12.5 overs to power India to 183 for five after they elected to bat, giving the defending champions a daunting target. Sri Lanka’s chase never really gathered momentum, with Charani leading India’s attack with 4-20 as the hosts were bowled out for 111 in 20 overs.
Chamari Athapaththu’s 36 and Vishmi Gunaratne’s 28 offered the only meaningful resistance before Deepti Sharma removed both batters in the 10th over. Even after India dropped five catches, Sri Lanka were unable to threaten a side that had controlled the contest from the opening Power Play. Shafali made her intentions clear almost immediately, taking on Athapaththu in the first over she bowled and smashing her for a six, another six and a four. The 22-year-old reached her half-century from only 24 balls, making it the fastest fifty in the history of the Women’s Asia Cup and bettering Mandhana’s previous record of 25 balls, set in the 2022 edition.
India raced to 57 without loss in the Power Play and reached 98 at the halfway stage, with Shafali repeatedly finding the boundary through powerful pulls and drives. Mandhana initially played the supporting role, reaching 23 from 22 balls, before accelerating once Shafali brought up her fifty. She swept Nilakshi Silva for six and cleared long-on against Chamudi Praboda before reaching her own half-century from 35 deliveries, her 36th in T20Is. The partnership was eventually broken when Shafali slapped a Praboda delivery straight to Athapaththu at the edge of the circle. Mandhana followed soon after in another setback for India, getting involved in a yes-no call with captain Harmanpreet Kaur and being run out. It was the third time Mandhana had been dismissed by a run-out during the tournament. India were 140 for two after 15 overs and appeared on course for a total approaching 200, but Sri Lanka improved their bowling in the closing stages and managed to restrict India to 43 runs from the final five overs.
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Richa Ghosh made 17 from 13 balls before falling just as she began to accelerate, while Gunalan Kamalini provided a late boost with a five-ball 15 to take India to 183-5. Sri Lanka’s chase briefly appeared to have some direction when Athapaththu and Gunaratne put together 58 for the second wicket. Athapaththu attempted to attack Deepti in the 10th over but was beaten by the flight, allowing wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh to complete the stumping. Three balls later, Gunaratne attempted a sweep and was bowled around her legs, leaving Sri Lanka 63 for three with the required rate already above 12 runs an over. From there, India’s spinners tightened the pressure, with Charani repeatedly finding the right areas and Sri Lanka unable to build another substantial partnership.
The defending champions were eventually dismissed for 111, bringing the final to a decisive conclusion. Home Sports News Shafali, Smriti star as India crush Sri Lanka to win record eighth Women’s Asia Cup title
