Sri Lankan women’s team clinches inaugural Asia Cup title

The Sri Lankan women’s cricket team won their first-ever Women’s Asia Cup title, defeating seven-time champions India by 8 wickets in the final on Sunday. 

Chasing a target of 165, skipper Chamari Athapaththu led the team to a historic victory with an impressive 61 runs, including 2 sixes and 9 boundaries.

Athapaththu, who had previously scored the first-ever century in the Women’s T20 Asia Cup during the group stage match against Malaysia, was named Player of the Tournament. Sri Lanka’s Harshitha Samarawickrema was awarded Player of the Final for her outstanding performance, scoring an unbeaten 69 runs off just 51 deliveries, which was crucial in securing the win against India.

During the awards ceremony, Captain Chamari Athapaththu expressed her gratitude to the Sri Lankan spectators who attended the finals, noting it was her first time seeing such a large crowd at a women’s match. Responding to a question from the host, Athapaththu assured fans that she will continue to play international cricket until the next 50-over Women’s World Cup.

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has promised a USD 100,000 prize to the Sri Lankan women’s team, led by Chamari Athapaththu, in recognition of their remarkable achievement in winning the Women’s Asia Cup.