India clinch their first-ever Gold medal in cricket at the Asian Games
This marks the inaugural Gold medal victory for the Indian women's cricket team at the Asian Games, while the runners-up, Sri Lanka, secured the Silver medal.
While this marked India's inaugural participation in the Asian Games' cricket competition, Sri Lanka had previously competed once before.
Bangladesh also finished on the podium in the women’s cricket event. They won the Bronze medal against Pakistan in the 3rd Place Play-off, which was played between the losing semi-finalists.
This is the first time that Pakistan will return without a medal in the women’s cricketing event.
India’s returning captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, called it right at the toss and elected to bat first. Sri Lanka were able to eke out an early wicket in the form of Shafali Verma (9) but thereafter Smriti Mandhana (46) and Jemimah Rodrigues (42) stitched a solid 73-run partnership to lift their side. India stuttered towards the end, courtesy of some disciplined Sri Lanka bowling, but managed to reach 116/7
Best of Jemimah Rodrigues | Women's T20WC 2023
In response, Sri Lanka were rattled by a sharp spell from the young Titas Sadhu (3/6). The pacer took three top-order wickets in the powerplay, including that of the dangerous Chamari Athapaththu. The Sri Lanka middle-order raised hopes by putting up a fight in the middle overs, but India spinners kept the scoring rate in control and took wickets at crucial intervals.
Sri Lanka finished at 97/8, falling short by a 20-run margin. Hasini Perera was the top-scorer for Sri Lanka with a 25.
Bangladesh skipper Nigar Sultana won the toss and elected to take the field. Marufa Akter set the tone by bowling a wicket maiden in the very first over of the game. Bangladesh dominated the innings hereafter, picking wickets at regular intervals.
Bangladesh's teenage sensation Marufa Akter rips through the Sri Lanka middle order with two wickets in as many deliveries at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2023.
Pakistan were 12/3 at the end of the powerplay, and the innings never took off from here. Aliya Riaz’s 17 was the best effort from the side. For Bangladesh, teenage leg-spinner Shorna Akter starred with the ball, picking a career-best 3/16. She accounted for Nida Dar, Umm-e-Hani and Aliya Riaz. Pakistan were restricted to 64/9 - their third-lowest total in a completed T20I innings.
Nida’s side fought back with the ball. Though Bangladesh got off to a comfortable start, Nashra Sandhu (3/10) spun a web in the middle overs and got through their top order. Finally, a patient knock from Shorna (14*) helped Bangladesh cross the line in the penultimate over.
The men’s cricketing event starts from 27 September.