India produced a genuinely commanding performance to beat Sri Lanka by 72 runs in the Women’s Asia Cup 2026 final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday. After posting 183 for five, India shut Sri Lanka down with a strong bowling display.
Sree Charani was the standout with the ball, using her left-arm spin to trouble the Sri Lankan batters and finish with four wickets. Deepti Sharma, who went into the final as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker, also played a big part as India completed a comfortable win.
Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana Set Up India’s Total
India’s innings was built around a brilliant opening partnership between Shafali Verma and vice-captain Smriti Mandhana. The pair added 129 runs in 12.5 overs, giving Sri Lanka very little chance to settle into the contest.
Shafali was particularly aggressive right from the start. The 22-year-old went after Sri Lankan captain Chamari Athapaththu early on, hitting three boundaries that included two sixes and a four.
India reached 57 without losing a wicket during the Power Play and moved to 98 without loss at the halfway stage. Shafali’s attacking approach kept the pressure firmly on Sri Lanka, while Mandhana initially played the steadier role alongside her.
Shafali Hits Fastest Fifty of Women’s Asia Cup
Shafali brought up her half-century off just 24 balls, making it the fastest fifty in the history of the women’s Asia Cup. That beat the previous tournament record of 25 balls, which Mandhana herself had set back in the 2022 edition.
Her innings of 68 came through a mix of powerful pulls and drives. She kept attacking the Sri Lankan bowlers before eventually being dismissed, mistiming a shot that went to the fielder near the circle.
Mandhana then shifted gears once Shafali reached her fifty. She hit a six off Nilakshi Silva and another maximum against Chamudi Praboda before bringing up her own half-century in 35 balls.
Mandhana Falls to Another Run Out
Mandhana’s innings ended soon after Shafali’s dismissal. She got caught up in a run-out with captain Harmanpreet Kaur after a tricky yes-no mix-up between the two batters.
It was Mandhana’s third run-out of the tournament. India were still sitting pretty at 140 for two after 15 overs, but Sri Lanka managed to claw things back during the closing stages.
India scored only 43 runs across the final five overs. Richa Ghosh, who made 17 off 13 balls, got out just as she looked ready to accelerate.
The Sri Lankan bowlers deserve credit too for finding better lines toward the end of the innings. Despite the late slowdown, India finished on 183 for five, handing their bowlers a solid total to defend.
Sree Charani Spins Sri Lanka Out
Sri Lanka needed a strong start in the chase but struggled to deal with India’s bowling attack from the get-go. Sree Charani then tilted the match further in India’s favour with her clever left-arm spin.
Charani picked up four wickets as Sri Lanka struggled to build any real partnerships. Her variations and accuracy kept constant pressure on the Sri Lankan batting line-up.
Deepti Sharma also kept up her impressive tournament form. Having already been India’s leading wicket-taker heading into the final, she chipped in once again with the ball as the defending champions kept a firm grip on the match.
India eventually bowled Sri Lanka out well short of the target, completing a convincing 72-run victory and sealing the Women’s Asia Cup 2026 title.
India Repeat Trophy Snub Involving Mohsin Naqvi
The celebrations were followed by another controversial moment during the trophy presentation. The Indian women’s team did not show up for the ceremony to receive the championship trophy from Pakistan Cricket Board chief Mohsin Naqvi.
Naqvi, who also serves as Asian Cricket Council president and Pakistan’s interior minister, attended the final in Dubai. He later walked toward the presentation area following a meeting with officials, but by then the Indian players had already headed back to their dressing room.
This incident closely echoed what happened at the 2025 Men’s Asia Cup, where India’s men’s team had also declined to collect the trophy from Naqvi after beating Pakistan in the final, also in Dubai.
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Why India Did Not Collect the Trophy
This decision came against the backdrop of continuing tensions between India and Pakistan. Relations between the two countries deteriorated sharply following the military tensions in May 2025.
Indian coach Amol Muzumdar said the team had simply followed the BCCI’s decision regarding the presentation, making clear that both players and support staff stood united behind the board’s position.
Muzumdar also stressed that the team was proud of winning the tournament and had already turned its focus toward the next challenge, the Asian Games.
Sri Lanka Takes Medals Despite Controversy
Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu accepted the runners-up medal and cheque from Naqvi during the ceremony. She said the situation involving the Indian team was beyond her control, and that her focus was purely on what she and her team could decide for themselves.
Athapaththu explained the Sri Lankan players accepted their medals simply because it was part of the official ceremony. She avoided commenting on other teams’ decisions, saying she preferred to focus on what was actually within her control.
For India, the real achievement stayed rooted in their performance on the field. Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana laid the platform with the bat, while Sree Charani and the rest of the bowling attack finished the job to hand India a 72-run victory in the Women’s Asia Cup 2026 final.