Record Asia Cup Victory
India Defeats Sri Lanka to Claim a Record Eighth Women's Asia Cup Title
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Key Points
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The final was played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on September 13, with India batting first after winning the toss.
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The post-match presentation was conducted by Asian Cricket Council chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who is also Pakistan Cricket Board chief; he presented Sri Lanka’s runners-up medals and handed the runners-up cheque to captain Chamari Athapaththu before the ceremony ended.
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India’s opening partnership in the final was built by Smriti Mandhana’s 59 off 39 balls and Shafali Verma’s 68 off 39, while Shree Charani returned figures of 4-20 and Deepti Sharma took 3-19.
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Captain Harmanpreet Kaur said India’s high standards require the team to keep matching them and described setting a target of 183 in a final as a significant achievement.
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Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said the victory reflected the growing strength of women’s sport in India and that the team’s determination, discipline and consistency had reinforced India’s status as a dominant force in women’s cricket across Asia.
India's women won the 2026 Asia Cup for a record eighth time on September 13, defeating Sri Lanka by 72 runs in the final at Dubai. But the team refused to accept the trophy from the presentation stage, citing objections to Asian Cricket Council chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who also heads Pakistan's cricket board. The BCCI decided collectively not to receive awards from Pakistani officials, according to BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla.
Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma built India's victory with a 129-run opening partnership. Mandhana scored 59 off 39 balls while Verma hit 68 off 39 to push India to 183 for 5. Shree Charani then took 4 for 20 and Deepti Sharma grabbed 3 for 19 as India bowled Sri Lanka out for just 111 in 20 overs.
Opening Partnership Sets Stage for Dominant Win
India batted first after winning the toss and dominated from the start. Verma's 68 came off just 39 balls, making it the fastest fifty in Women's Asia Cup history. Mandhana's steady 59 anchored the innings as the pair added 129 runs—the highest opening stand ever recorded in the tournament's history.
India's Bowlers Dismantle Sri Lanka's Chase
Sri Lanka never got close to India's total. Charani, bowling with precision, returned figures of 4 for 20 in four overs. Deepti Sharma added 3 for 19 as Sri Lanka collapsed to 111 all out. The 72-run margin gave India a dominant victory that reflected months of consistent performance throughout the tournament.
45-Minute Standoff Over Trophy Presentation
The celebration turned tense when officials announced Mohsin Naqvi would present the trophy. The BCCI had informed the Asian Cricket Council beforehand that Indian players would not accept awards from Pakistani government officials due to geopolitical tensions. Naqvi, who serves as both ACC chairman and Pakistan Cricket Board chief, insisted on presenting the trophy himself despite BCCI objections.
The ceremony stalled for 45 minutes while officials negotiated. Eventually, Naqvi presented Sri Lanka's runners-up medals and cheque to captain Chamari Athapaththu, then departed without presenting India's trophy. Coach Amol Muzumdar said afterward: "Trophy or no trophy doesn't matter to us... India are officially the champions."
Record Extends India's Dominance in Women's Cricket
This eighth Asia Cup title cements India's standing as Asia's women's cricket powerhouse. India now holds a 6–1 record against Sri Lanka in Asia Cup finals. BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla said the refusal was a "collective decision" and that Naqvi raised no objections when informed beforehand, according to reports.
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini called the victory "an inspiration for young women athletes" and praised the team's "determination, discipline and consistency." The Indian team will now shift focus to the Asian Games while the physical trophy remains uncollected at the ACC office.
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