Sports
India India commences Asia Cup journey with victory
Dhaka, 2 October 2022 : The Indian women's cricket team has come to play the Asia Cup on a mission to regain the title. The runners-up of the last edition of the Asia Cup defeated Sri Lanka by 41 runs in the second match of the edition starting from Saturday in Sylhet.
Earlier, the defending champion Bangladesh also won the opening match.
India scored 150 runs for 6 wickets in the scheduled 20 overs at the Outer Stadium in Sylhet. In reply, Sri Lanka got off to a promising start but were bowled out for 109 runs in 18.2 overs. Thanks to which Harmanpreet Kaur's team won easily by 41 runs.
India's two openers Smriti Mandhana (6) and Shefali Verma (10) disappointed after losing the toss to bat. However, captain Harmanpreet and right-handed batsman Jemaima Rodriguez, who won the man-of-the-match award, brought the team back on the right track in the third wicket pair.
The duo made a partnership of 92 runs in just 11.4 overs. 33 runs from 30 balls came from Harman's bat. However, Jemaima played a career-best innings after crossing fifty. After a long injury, the top-order batsman scored 76 runs off 53 balls. Where there were 11 fours and a six. Oshadi Ranasinghe took three wickets for Sri Lanka.
Later, Sri Lanka got off to a positive start by picking up 43 runs in 6 overs of the power play to chase the runs. But as no one could play a big innings, they gradually fell behind. Hasini Perera scored the maximum 30 runs. Besides, Harshita Samaravikram scored 26 runs.
India will play their next match against Malaysia on Monday. Sri Lanka's second match against Thailand the next day.
