India crush Sri Lanka to win eighth Women's Asia Cup title

Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana laid the foundation with a record opening stand before India’s spin attack completed the job as they beat Sri Lanka by 72 runs at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday to win their eighth Women’s Asia Cup title and fourth in the T20 format.

Shafali smashed 68 off 39 balls and Mandhana struck 59 off 39 as the pair added 129 for the first wicket, the highest partnership for any wicket in Women’s T20 Asia Cup history. Their assault helped India post 183-5.

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Sri Lanka struggled to build momentum in the chase despite India putting down five catches. Deepti Sharma took 3-19 and Shree Charani 4-20 as the Indian spinners kept the Lankans under pressure throughout.

Chamari Athapaththu top-scored with 36, but Sri Lanka were eventually bundled out for 111. India now lead Sri Lanka 6-1 in Asia Cup final meetings.