Sri Lanka vs UAE Women’s Asia Cup: SL Win by 9 Wickets in 7.5 Overs

Sri Lanka began their defence of the Women’s Asia Cup title with a commanding nine-wicket win over the United Arab Emirates in Dubai on Saturday, chasing down a target of 80 in only 7.5 overs.

The defending champions bowled UAE out for 79 in 19.5 overs before captain Chamari Athapaththu led a rapid chase with an unbeaten 48 from 25 balls. Sri Lanka finished on 80/1, reaching the target with 73 balls to spare.

The match was played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on August 29, with Sri Lanka choosing to field after winning the toss.

UAE struggle to build a competitive total

Sri Lanka’s bowlers put UAE under pressure almost immediately.

Theertha Satish was dismissed without scoring, while Lavanya Keny made only three. UAE captain Esha Oza top-scored with 18 from 24 balls, but the innings never gathered enough momentum. Samaira Dharnidharka contributed 17 from 25 balls, while Rinitha Rajith made 15.

Sri Lanka’s attack kept taking wickets at regular intervals. Mithali Ayodhya and Chethana Vimukthi claimed three wickets each, while Sugandika Kumari took two. Chamari Athapaththu and Kavisha Dilhari also picked up a wicket apiece.

UAE were eventually bowled out for 79 with one ball remaining.

Vimukthi, making her T20I debut according to the pre-match report, finished with 3/16 and was named Player of the Match. Ayodhya returned figures of 3/14 from 3.5 overs.

Athapaththu sets the pace in the chase

Sri Lanka’s response was almost the complete opposite of UAE’s first innings.

Imesha Dulani attacked from the start, scoring 25 from 18 balls with five fours. Athapaththu was even more destructive, striking seven fours and two sixes in her unbeaten 48 from 25 deliveries at a strike rate of 192.

The opening pair put on 57 before Dulani was run out in the sixth over. Her dismissal was unusual: a drive from Athapaththu ricocheted off the bowler and hit the stumps at the non-striker’s end, leaving Dulani short of her ground.

That setback barely slowed Sri Lanka down.

Sanjana Kavindi joined Athapaththu and scored an unbeaten five from four balls. Athapaththu then finished the match with a couple off Esha Oza, taking Sri Lanka to 80/1 after just 47 deliveries.

Sri Lanka’s scoring rate of 10.21 runs per over reflected the difference between the two innings.

A strong start for the defending champions

The victory gives Sri Lanka an ideal start to their campaign as they seek to retain the Women’s Asia Cup title. Their performance was particularly convincing because the result was effectively settled in two phases: the bowlers restricted UAE to below 80, and Athapaththu’s batting unit removed any possibility of a difficult chase.

Athapaththu also reached a notable tournament milestone during the innings. According to Cricbuzz, she became the first player to score 500 runs in Women’s Asia Cups when she struck a six off Oza in the fourth over.

For UAE, the defeat leaves plenty to address with the bat. Seven of their batters failed to reach double figures, and the team managed only 16 runs for two wickets during the Powerplay. By the halfway point, UAE were 31/3 after playing 37 dot balls.

Sri Lanka, meanwhile, could hardly have asked for a cleaner opening performance. Their bowlers controlled the first innings, and Athapaththu ensured the chase was over long before the scheduled 20 overs.

The Women’s Asia Cup runs from August 28 to September 13, with Sri Lanka beginning their title defence in Group B.