Women's Asia Cup: Sri Lanka kick off title defense with crushing 9-wicket win over UAE

Defending champion Sri Lanka launched its Women’s Asia Cup campaign with a statement performance on Saturday, blowing past host nation UAE by nine wickets at the Dubai International Stadium.

Sri Lanka cruise past UAE by 9 wickets in Women's Asia Cup Opener

Faced with a modest target of 80 runs, the Island Nation made quick work of the pursuit, wrapping up the match in just 7.5 overs. Captain Chamari Athapaththu spearheaded the chase with an unbeaten 25-ball 48, combining with Imesha Dulani (25 off 18) for a blistering 57-run opening stand that laid the foundation for Sri Lanka’s largest victory in women’s T20I history in terms of balls remaining.

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UAE’s bowling attack failed to stem the flow of runs early on, with the pressure showing as early as the second over when Samaira Dharnidharka was taken for 15 runs, including three boundaries.

Although UAE captain Esha Oza managed to break the opening stand with a run-out to dismiss Dulani just before the close of the Powerplay, the early onslaught had already placed the result well out of reach.

Athapaththu was in vintage form, dismantling the attack with seven boundaries and two towering sixes. The skipper erupted in celebration as non-striker Sanjana Kavindi scampered back for a second run, putting the finishing touches on a completely one-sided encounter.

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UAE’s innings faltered right from the outset after opener Theertha Satish fell to pacer Mithali Ayodhya on just the fourth ball of the match. Captain Esha Oza fought a solitary battle at the top, scoring 18 off 24 deliveries to finish as her team's highest scorer in an otherwise dismal batting effort.

Sri Lanka's bowling unit shared the spoils, with Ayodhya and fast bowler Aluth Vimukthi doing the bulk of the damage with three wickets apiece, while spinner Sugandika Kumari chipped in with two crucial breakthroughs to dismantle the middle order.

Following the opening-day result, both teams will turn their attention to Indonesia in their next Group B fixtures, with Sri Lanka playing them on September 2 and UAE taking them on on September 4.