Seven titles out of eight! Team India has extended its record streak of winning the Women’s Asia Cup by winning the 2022 edition of the continental showpiece event. The Harmanpreet Kaur-led outfit defeated the Sri Lankan women’s cricket team by a massive margin of 8 wickets in the summit clash on Saturday (October 15) at the Sylhet Cricket Ground.
Sri Lanka’s decision to bat first after winning the toss backfired as they could put a total of just 65/9 on the board in their 20 overs. Pacer Renuka Thakur was the star of the show with the bowl for the Indians as she took three wickets in her three-over spell and gave away just five runs. The spin-bowling duo of Rajeshwari Gayakwad and Sneh Rana chipped in with two wickets each while both Sri Lankan openers including skipper Chamari Athapaththu and Anushka Sanjeewani were run-out.
Sri Lanka found themselves struggling at 43-9 before a 22-run partnership by the 10th wicket pair ensured they were not bowled and played the entire quota of 20 overs.
India had no problems in the chase despite Shafali Verma and Jemimah Rodrigues being dismissed for single-digit scores. Smriti Mandhana was at her fluent best for the Women in Blue and she played a flamboyant knock of 51 in just 25 balls and took her team over the line. Skipper Harmanpreet was also unbeaten with a knock of 11 runs in 14 balls.
India had an incredible campaign that saw them dominate the tournament from start to finish. The Women in Blue did not let the defeat to arch-rivals Pakistan affect their morale as they won seven out of their eight matches with ease.
Apart from the 2018 edition, India have won all editions of the Women Asia Cup in history over the years. This includes winning the title in 2004, 2005-06, 2006, 2008, 2012, and 2016.
