Sri Lanka on Sunday (July 28) created history by beating India in the final of the 2024 Women’s T20 Asia Cup to win the continental championship for the first time in their history.
The Chamari Athapaththu-led side comprehensively outplayed the defending champions and won the game by eight wickets. Batting first, India posted a competitive total of 165 for 6 in 20 overs thanks to a superb half-century from Smriti Mandhana (60). Richa Ghosh (30) and Jemimah Rodrigues (29) also played useful knocks for the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side.
While 165 looked like a competitive total, Sri Lanka made a mockery of that target. With half-centuries from their captain Chamari Athapaththu (61) and Harshitha Samarawickrama (69*), they chased down the total in 18.4 overs losing just two wickets.
Sri Lanka got off to a poor start as opener Vishmi Gunaratne was bowled out for just 1. However, Athapaththu and Samarawickrama shared an 87-run stand for the second wicket to put their team in a commanding position. Samarawickrama and Kavisha Dilhari (30*) then shared an unbeaten 73-run stand to take their team home.
Following the historic win by the Sri Lankan women’s team, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has announced a cash prize of US$500,000 for the team. Earlier, Sri Lankan media had reported that SLC would give the Sri Lankan women’s team a cash prize of US$100,000, but the actual amount turned out to be higher.
“In recognition of our Sri Lanka Women’s Cricket Team’s phenomenal victory at the 2024 Asia Cup, Sri Lanka Cricket is delighted to announce a reward of USD 500,000. Their dedication, teamwork and tireless spirit on the field have brought immense pride to our nation.
“This is just the beginning. Let’s celebrate many more victories and glorious moments in the future!” SLC wrote on X.
In recognition of our Sri Lanka Women’s Cricket Team’s phenomenal win at the 2024 Asia Cup, Sri Lanka Cricket is delighted to announce a $500,000 USD award! 🇱🇰 Their dedication, teamwork and tireless spirit on the field have brought immense pride to our nation.… image.twitter.com/rAGtbGbED1
— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) July 29, 2024
One win after five losses:
Prior to the victory over India to win the 2024 Asia Cup, Sri Lanka had suffered disappointments in the final on as many as five occasions. On all five occasions, they had suffered defeats against India. They had ended up on the losing side in the final of the first four editions of the Asia Cup.
In the next three editions, Sri Lanka failed to qualify for the final before reaching the final again in 2022. Their fortunes did not change in 2022 either as India thrashed them by eight wickets. Sri Lanka finally gave India a taste of their own medicine by registering a thumping victory on home soil to win the Asia Cup for the first time.
