Published Sep 14, 2026 | 12:56 AM ⚊ Updated Sep 14, 2026 | 12:56 AM
Openers Shafali Verma (L) and Smriti Mandhana gave India a scintillating start, scoring 129 runs. (Facebook/CSK)
Synopsis: India were at their offensive best at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, as they outclassed Sri Lanka in all departments in the Asia Cup Women’s T20 final. Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma provided a sound start and scripted a record first-wicket partnership of 129 runs—54 short of India’s total of 183 for the loss of five wickets. Indian bowlers took over from batters and kept Sri Lanka on a tight leash before bundling all of them out for 111 runs.
Indian openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma wielded their bats like two ruthless gladiators, swishing, cutting, punching, hooking, driving, and occasionally going for the cheeky ones as they put up a record-breaking opening stand, guiding Harmanpreet Kaur’s team to humiliate defending champions Sri Lanka by 72 runs at the Asian Cup T20 Final in Dubai on Sunday, 13 September.
The first 12.5 overs were a display of powerful poetic elegance as the duo amassed 129 runs between them, surpassing the previous first-wicket record stand of 120 by West Indians Hayley Matthews and Stafanie Taylor against Australia in the 2026 T20 World Cup final in Kolkata.
After India won the toss and opted to bat, Mandhana showed intent from the word go, smashing the first ball of the Indian innings over the rope for a maximum. Shafali opened her scoresheet with a four, and then onwards, the duo kept the scorers busy. The openers were particularly severe on Sri Lankan skipper Chamari Athapaththu, as if seeking revenge for the team’s defeat in the previous edition of the Asia Cup.
After Shafali fell — caught Athapaththu off Mithali Ayodhya — for 68 off 39 balls, 9(4s), 2 (6s), captain Harmanpreet Kaur joined Mandhana in the middle. However, the partnership was short-lived as Mandhana was found short of the crease and was run out. Kaur and Richa Ghosh stitched a 28-run partnership off 21 balls. Towards the innings’ end, Gunalan Kamalini, who replaced Pratika Rawal in the playing XI, made a quickfire 15 off just five to take India’s score to a formidable 183 for five wickets.
Then came the bowlers. Kranti Goud struck with the fourth ball of the first over of Sri Lankan innings by hoodwinking Imesha Dulani and rattling the timber. Athapaththu briefly held India at bay, scoring 36 off 32, before Richa made a lightning stumping off Deepthi Sharma. Vishmi Gunaratne and Nilakshika Silva tried to put up a fight, scoring 20 and 22, respectively. However, they were no match for the Indian bowling unit, with Shree Charani returning with four scalps off her as many overs, which also included a maiden.
Deepti claimed three wickets, while Goud, Shafali, and Prema Rawat took one wicket each.
Towards the fag end, Indian fielders were found wanting, as they floored two sitters, which delayed the elimination of Sri Lankan batters. However, Deepti, bowling the final over, ensured that all Sri Lankan batters were back in the dressing room as she castled Kaushini Nuthyangana’s wicket with the final delivery of the match, and bundled the defending champs out for 111.
The presentation ceremony ended with Indian players refusing their medals or the champion’s trophy as India-Pakistan politics once again clashed on the cricket field. It was earlier reported that India would refuse to accept the trophy from Asian Cricket Council president and Pakistan’s interior minister Mohsin Naqvi.
Naqvi was on the dais, playing second fiddle, and seemed to be animatedly chewing gum as Sri Lankans received the medals.
