
Powered by Smriti Mandhana's blistering 79-run knock, India defeated Sri Lanka by 147 runs to claim the gold medal in women's cricket at the Asian Games for the second consecutive time.
Batting first in the final on Tuesday, India posted a formidable total of 216 for 3 in their 20 overs—the highest-ever team score in women's cricket at the Asian Games. The Indian innings featured a staggering 18 fours and 13 sixes.
Mandhana smashed 79 runs off 45 deliveries, an innings that included seven sixes and five fours. The star opener, one of the leading run-scorers in women's T20 cricket, attacked the Sri Lankan bowlers right from the start.
She shared a 99-run opening partnership with Shafali Verma, coming in just 10 overs. Shafali was eventually dismissed for 48 off 29 balls, caught by Kavya Kavindi while attempting an unnecessary reverse sweep.
Earlier in that same over, Mandhana brought up her half-century. She then built a partnership with captain Harmanpreet Kaur, taking the team total to 141 before Harmanpreet was caught at long-off for 19.
Mandhana fell in the 17th inning when she miscued a shot while attempting a six, leaving India at 163. In the final over, Richa Ghosh and Bharti Fulmali added 25 runs, with Richa scoring 49 off 22 balls, featuring six fours and three sixes, pushing India comfortably past the 200-run mark.
Chasing the massive target, Sri Lanka floundered under pressure from the outset. Captain Chamari Athapaththu top-scored with 29, but the entire team was bundled out for just 69 in 15.4 overs. The comprehensive 147-run victory secured the gold for India, leaving Sri Lanka to settle for the silver medal.
In the earlier playoff for the bronze medal, Pakistan defeated Bangladesh by 31 runs. Finding themselves in trouble at 67 for 5 in the 12th over, Pakistan was rescued by captain Fatima Sana.
Fatima scored 45 off 30 balls with three fours and three sixes, taking her team to 145 for 8 by the end of their 20 overs. A crucial 67-run sixth-wicket partnership between Fatima and Aliya Riaz (25) completely shifted the momentum of the match.
Chasing a target of 146, Bangladesh managed 114 for 7 in their 20 overs, giving Pakistan the win and the bronze medal.




