India Claim Eighth Women’s T20 Asia Cup Title

COLOMBO (News 1st) - India won the Women’s Asia Cup for a record eighth time, defeating Sri Lanka by 72 runs in the final of the 2026 Women’s Asia Cup which was held yesterday.

India won the toss and elected to bat first.

Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma opened the innings for India, putting together a 129-run partnership for the first wicket.

Shafali Verma scored her half-century off just 24 balls, recording the fastest half-century by a player in the history of the Women’s Asia Cup.

Verma was eventually dismissed for 68 off the bowling of young Sri Lankan player Chamudi Prabodha.

Smriti Mandhana scored 59.

India posted 183 for 5 in their 20 overs.

In reply, Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu scored 36, while Vishmi Gunaratne was dismissed for 20 and Nilakshika Silva scored 22.

Chasing a target of 184, Sri Lanka were bowled out for 111 in 20 overs.

With the 72-run victory, India were crowned Women’s Asia Cup champions for the eighth time.

However, the victorious Indian women’s team declined to receive the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi, President of the Pakistan Cricket Board and the Asian Cricket Council.

Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu received the cheque awarded to the Sri Lankan team as runners-up.

Sri Lanka Cricket Transformation Committee Chairman Eran Wickramaratne was also present at the Grand final.

Maharaja Media Network was the licensed local broadcasting rights holder of the tournament.