India women rout Sri Lanka to win 7th Asia Cup title

SYLHET, Bangladesh (AP) — Opener Smriti Mandhana struck a brilliant 25 ball-51 not out as India clinched the T20 Women’s Asia Cup, routing Sri Lanka by eight wickets in the final on Saturday.

Sri Lanka’s decision to bat first backfired as it put up 65-9 with just two batters reaching double digits.

No. 10 batter Inoka Ranaweera scored highest with 18 and Oshadi Ranasinghe added 13.

Mandhana’s aggressive batting made the target easier as she confirmed the victory with a six over long-on to help India reach 71-2 in just 8.3 overs.

She hit six fours and three sixes in her knock to help India clinch its seventh Asia Cup title.

Pacer Renuka Sing claimed 3-5 earlier to set the tone early. Left-arm spinner Rajeshwari Gayakwad and offspinner Sneh Rana took two wickets each.

“We read the wicket well and positions fielders accordingly,” India captain Harmanpreet Kaur said. "We should credit our bowlers. Our fielding unit was good from ball one and we discussed that we should not give away easy runs.”

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