Shafali Verma's 24-Ball Fifty Powered India Women to a Record 8th Asia Cup Title
India Women beat Sri Lanka by 72 runs at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on September 13, 2026, to win a record-extending eighth Women's Asia Cup title. Chasing India's 183 for 5, Sri Lanka were bowled out for 111.
The innings was built on a 129-run opening stand between Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana, the highest partnership for any wicket in Women's T20 Asia Cup history. Shafali reached her half-century off just 24 balls, the fastest fifty in the tournament's history, finishing with 68 off 39 to be named both Player of the Match and Player of the Series.
India Women won a record-extending eighth Women's Asia Cup title on September 13, 2026, beating Sri Lanka by 72 runs in the final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Batting first, India posted 183 for 5, and Sri Lanka were bowled out for 111 in reply.
The foundation was laid by openers Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana, who put on 129 for the first wicket, the highest partnership for any wicket in Women's T20 Asia Cup history. Shafali was the standout, reaching her half-century off just 24 balls, the fastest fifty in the tournament's history, and finishing with 68 off 39 deliveries. Mandhana contributed 59 at the other end.
With the ball, Deepti Sharma took 3 for 19 and Shree Charani took 4 for 20 to dismantle Sri Lanka's chase, with Chamari Athapaththu's 36 the top score for the losing side. Shafali Verma was named Player of the Match for her innings, and Player of the Series for her performances across the tournament, capping a strong comeback campaign for the young opener.
The win extends India's record as the most successful side in Women's Asia Cup history, with eight titles overall, and comes on the back of standout individual performances throughout the tournament, including a century from Mandhana earlier in the competition.
Why It Matters
An eighth Asia Cup title extends India's already-dominant record in the tournament, but the way this one was won matters as much as the result: a record opening partnership followed by a disciplined bowling effort (Deepti Sharma 3/19, Shree Charani 4/20) that bowled Sri Lanka out for 111 shows depth across both batting and bowling, not a one-player performance.
Shafali Verma's tournament, capped by a Player of the Match and Player of the Series double in the final, is also a notable comeback story for a batter who has moved in and out of India's XI over the past few seasons.
Key Details
- Final result: India Women beat Sri Lanka Women by 72 runs
- Venue: Dubai International Cricket Stadium
- Date: September 13, 2026
- India's total: 183/5
- Sri Lanka's total: 111 all out
- Titles won by India: 8 (record-extending)
- Opening partnership: 129 runs (Shafali Verma & Smriti Mandhana), highest in Women's T20 Asia Cup history
- Player of the Match & Series: Shafali Verma
Historical Context
Shafali Verma's half-century off 24 balls is the fastest fifty in Women's Asia Cup history, and her opening stand with Smriti Mandhana broke the previous record for the highest partnership at any wicket in the tournament's T20 format. India's eighth title keeps them clear of every other side in the competition's history, with Sri Lanka runners-up.
Key Takeaways
- India Women beat Sri Lanka by 72 runs to win a record eighth Women's Asia Cup title on September 13, 2026, in Dubai.
- Shafali Verma scored 68 off 39 balls, reaching her fifty in 24 deliveries, the fastest in Women's Asia Cup history.
- Shafali and Smriti Mandhana's 129-run opening stand is the highest partnership for any wicket in the tournament's T20 history.
- Deepti Sharma (3/19) and Shree Charani (4/20) bowled Sri Lanka out for 111 to seal the win.
- Shafali Verma was named both Player of the Match and Player of the Series.
Source: ESPNcricinfo
