IND W VS SL W FINAL

Chamari Athapaththu collects the trophy before joining her teammates. She presents it to the youngsters in the team, and then the Sri Lankan women pose for photographs in front of the 'Champions' plaque. Fireworks erupt as Sri Lanka lift the trophy for the first time. The support staff join the celebrations, and the party is just getting started for the Sri Lankan eves. The celebrations will go on in their camp until the sun rises the next morning. As for India Women, it is back to the drawing board and it was their last assignment before the T20 World Cup in October. Sri Lanka, though, will tour Ireland next month for a couple of T20Is and three ODIs to round off their preparations for the showpiece event. For those of you wondering what to do now that the Women's Asia Cup is over, there's plenty of action going on around the globe. From international cricket to various T20 leagues, there's something for everyone. Just switch tabs to catch all the action. Cheers!

It is now time for the Sri Lankan players to walk up to the stage to collect their winners' medals. Chamari Athapaththu collects the winners' cheque and she is in for a chat now. She says she is very happy with the way the team performed, especially the way they batted. Adds that they played well in the last 12 months and the hard work has finally paid off. Appreciates the crowd for the support and says this was special. States that this win will inspire young girls in the country. On her performance, she says they keep things positive and she is happy for the way things are panning out for her and the side. Concludes that she will surely play until the next 50-overs World Cup.

Next up, the Indian players are invited on the stage to collect their runners-up medals and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur collects the runners-up cheque as well. She is in for a chat now. She says that they played good cricket throughout the tournament and there is no doubt that the lapses in the field cost them. Feels that it was a decent total and were looking for breakthroughs in the Powerplay but it didn't go according to plan. Tells that they will remember this day and will improve going ahead with the World Cup not far away. Ends by applauding the Sri Lankan team for the way they played and congratulates them on the title win.

The Sri Lankan captain, Chamari Athapaththu is named the PLAYER OF THE TOURNAMENT for scoring 304 runs and picking 3 wickets.

Harshitha Samarawickrama is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for her match-winning knock of unbeaten 69 runs off 51 balls. She says she is very happy to have scored in this game and after a few failures, she was very determined to play well, especially against India. Adds that after the captain got out she wanted to keep things simple and play positive. Concludes that she got enough freedom to play with ease from the coach and the support staff.

First up, the match officials are called up to the stage to collect their mementoes. The umpiring was of the highest order throughout this edition of the Women's Asia Cup.

Time for the presentation ceremony...

You have to tip your hat off to Harshitha Samarawickrama. Earlier in the day, she dropped catches of Smriti Mandhana and Richa Ghosh but picked herself up and produced an exceptional knock. Harshitha is in for a chat. She says she is very happy and to win the finals was very special. Adds that this is the first time she has seen such a big crowd and thanks them for all the support.

Earlier in the game, the toss fell the way of the Indian skipper, Harmanpreet Kaur and she had no hesitation in opting to bat first. India's start was steady but credit must go to the Sri Lankan spinners for keeping things quiet but the fielders could not back the bowlers up. Dropped on 10, Smriti Mandhana held the Indian innings together even as the wickets fell at the other end. Cameos from Jemimah Rodrigues and Richa Ghosh helped India set a base for a strong finish. However, Udeshika Prabodhani bowled a sensational final over, giving away just 7 runs and took the wicket of Richa Ghosh to keep India to 165.

As for India Women, their title defence has come to a disappointing end. They went into the final as the favourites but just could not bring their A-game to the final. As they reflect back on this loss, it will be that dropped catch of Harshitha Samarawickrama by Harmanpreet Kaur when she was on 45 that will sting them. With the ball, they could not strike early and although they were gifted a wicket in the form of a run out, they could not build on that scalp. They failed to stem the flow of runs during the middle phase and were left playing catch up. India found an opening when Deepti Sharma bowled Chamari Athapaththu around her legs but Sri Lanka stitched another formidable partnership to take the game away from them.

In pursuit of 166 runs, Sri Lanka were off to an inauspicious start with the run out of Vishmi Gunaratne. Chamari Athapaththu was able to put the run out behind her and threw caution to the wind. She ensured that the required run rate did not become an issue and soon brought up her fifty. Harshitha Samarawickrama picked up where her captain left off and took the chase ahead. She found an able alley in Kavisha Dilhari as the duo never let the Indian bowlers dictate the terms. With 25 runs needed off 18 balls, Harshitha closed all doors on a possible Indian comeback as she unleashed a real assault against Radha Yadav. Sri Lanka Women did it in a canter in the end as they pulled off their highest successful run chase in Women's T20Is. Sri Lanka Women and the entire support staff take a victory lap around the ground, appreciating the huge crowd that has shown up to support the home side.

HISTORY FOR SRI LANKA! Maiden Asia Cup title for the Sri Lankan lionesses as they romp home here in Dambulla. The Chamari Athapaththu-led unit has stunned India, the most dominant force in the subcontinent to claim their maiden crown. Sri Lanka Women and the entire support staff take a victory lap around the ground, appreciating the huge crowd that has shown up to support the home side.

SIX! BANG! WHAT A WAY TO MAKE HISTORY FOR SRI LANKA WOMEN! Pooja Vastrakar serves this on a length and just outside off, Kavisha Dilhari covers the line and clobbers it over long on for a maximum. Sri Lanka Women win their first ever Women's Asia Cup title by 8 wickets.

Keeps it full and on off, Harshitha Samarawickrama looks to hoick it across the line but mistimes it to mid on for a single.

Digs the bouncer very short over middle and leg, Harshitha Samarawickrama raises with the bounce but the ball just climbs further up towards the keeper.

Comes from around the wicket and keeps it short over off, Harshitha Samarawickrama rocks back and slaps it to deep mid-wicket where Uma Chetry dives to her right and keep it down to two. Sri Lanka Women need 6 off 11 balls.

Bowls it nicely around middle and off, on a fuller length, Harshitha Samarawickrama cuts it to deep cover for a single and will keep strike for the next over. 8 needed now off 12.