Aayushi Shukla was on fire again as she picked up 4 wickets for just 10 runs against Sri Lanka on Friday, helping India storm into the final of the first-ever women’s U-19 T20 Asia Cup at the Bayuemas Oval in Kuala Lumpur. This came right after her brilliant 3/9 performance against Bangladesh in India’s last Super Four match. On Friday, Shukla once again showed her class as India’s bowlers put the squeeze on Sri Lanka, limiting them to just 98/9 after captain Niki Prasad decided to bowl first.
In the final, India will face Bangladesh, who won their Super Four game against Nepal by nine wickets. It’ll be a rematch of the U-19 men’s Asia Cup final from earlier this month, where Bangladesh took the title.
The Indian bowlers were so dominant that only two Sri Lankan players, Sumudu Nisansala (21) and captain Manudi Nanayakkara (33), managed to score in double digits. Parunika Sisodia, who also bowls left-arm spin, contributed with two wickets as well.
Sri Lanka’s top-order struggled big time. Sanjana Kavindi (9) and Hiruni Hansika (2) were dismissed after just 12 balls. The best partnership was between Nanayakkara and Nisansala, who put together 22 runs for the fifth wicket, but that came to an end when Nisansala got run out, crushing Sri Lanka’s hopes.
India’s chase wasn’t perfect, but it was enough.
India didn’t get off to the best start, with opener Ishwari Asware running herself out after just three balls. Sri Lanka’s left-arm spinner Chamodi Praboda (3/16) tried to turn things around by getting three Indian batters out, but opener G Kamalini (28) and Gongadi Trisha (32) made sure India got the job done.
Once they were out, Mithila Vinod, batting at number seven, finished things off with an unbeaten 17-run knock. India managed to reach the target with 31 balls to spare, booking their place in the final.
