On Sunday, July 28, 2024, at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, Sri Lanka’s Nilakshi de Silva removed India captain Harmanpreet Kaur with an amazing catch during the women’s 2024 Asia Cup final. With this, Harmanpreet Kaur got out for just 11 runs off as many balls in an important match where winning was a must.
The 12th over of India’s innings saw the left-arm spinner getting rid of Harmanpreet. Nisansala, who is known for her left-arm spin deliveries, once made one that was just outside the off stump but turned away from him. The right-handed batter did not expect this turn in ball trajectory and therefore ended up edging it rather awkwardly through to cover.
Before completing an extraordinary catch, Nilakshika Silva sprinted after the ball and made a long, stretched out leap. Nisansala was overwhelmed with joy after taking the wicket. The Asian Cricket Council uploaded the video on Instagram, stating:
“𝐒𝐤𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬. Nisansala bowls that a bit slower and deceives Harmanpreet in the air 👊“
You can watch the video here:
Harmanpreet Kaur’s India set Sri Lanka a target of 166 runs in the 2024 Women’s Asia Cup final
With a total of 165 runs in 6 overs, India managed to win over Sri Lanka during the 2024 Women’s Asia cup finals as a result of the clinical batting display by Smriti Mandhana, Richa Ghosh and Jemimah Rodrigues. Opening batsman, Mandhana noted 60 runs from 47 balls which included ten boundaries. Meanwhile, the finishers’ scores included Richa’s 30 (14) with sixteen balls and Jemi’s 29 (16).
Among Sri Lankan bowlers, Kavisha Dilhari made an impact by taking two wickets, while one wicket each was accounted for by Udeshika Prabodhani, Sachini Nisansala and captain Chamari Athapaththu. The host team scored 44 runs with 1 wicket down after six overs as per the latest update with Athapaththu and Harshitha Samarawickrama batting.
Both teams have remained unvanquished during this tournament. In one semi-final match, the women in blue crushed Bangladesh by ten wickets, while in another, Sri Lanka edged past Pakistan by three wickets.
India are reigning champions who have lifted seven out of the last eight editions of the Women’s Asia Cup; Bangladesh is another country that has been able to do so at the continental level. Winning it for the first time in its short T20 history would be critical for Sri Lankans.
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