[Watch] Nilakshika Silva pulls off a stunning catch to dismiss Harmanpreet Kaur in IND vs SL 2024 Women’s Asia Cup final
Sri Lanka’s Nilakshika Silva pulled off a brilliant catch to dismiss India captain Harmanpreet Kaur in the 2024 Women’s Asia Cup final at Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on Sunday, July 28. With that, the hosts sent back Harmanpreet for run-a-ball 11 in the all-important final.
The dismissal came in the 12th over of India’s innings. Left-arm spinner Sachini Nisansala bowled a delivery slightly outside off stump that turned away from Harmanpreet. The right-hander didn’t anticipate the turn on offer and went to fetch the ball but had no control over the shot as the ball took a leading edge and lobbed to cover.
Nilakshika Silva ran towards the ball before putting in a full-stretch dive to complete the catch. Following the catch, Nisansala celebrated the wicket in utmost jubilation. Sharing the video on Instagram, the Asian Cricket Council wrote:
"𝐒𝐤𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬. Nisansala bowls that a bit slower and deceives Harmanpreet in the air 👊"
Watch the video below:
Harmanpreet Kaur-led India set a 166-run target for Sri Lanka in 2024 Women’s Asia Cup final
A clinical batting display from Smriti Mandhana, Richa Ghosh, and Jemimah Rodrigues helped India put up 165/6 against Sri Lanka in the 2024 Women’s Asia Cup final. Mandhana led from the front, scoring 60 runs off 47 balls, hitting 10 boundaries. Richa and Jemimah provided the finishing touches with quickfire scores of 30 (14) and 29 (16), respectively.
Kavisha Dilhari was the pick of the Sri Lankan bowlers, picking up two wickets, while Udeshika Prabodhani, Sachini Nisansala, and skipper Chamari Athapaththu bagged one wicket apiece.
In response, the hosts were 44/1 after six overs at the time of writing, with skipper Athapaththu and Harshitha Samarawickrama at the crease.
The two teams are undefeated in the tournament. The Women in Blue thumped Bangladesh by 10 wickets in the semifinals, while Sri Lanka beat Pakistan by three wickets in the second semifinal.
Defending champions India have won the Women’s Asia Cup seven out of eight times. Bangladesh are the other team to have won the intercontinental trophy. Sri Lanka will be keen to win the title for the first time in the T20 tournament.
Follow the IND vs SL Women's Asia Cup final live score and updates here.