India clinch victory over Sri Lanka in thrilling Super Fours encounter ahead of Asia Cup final against Pakistan on Sunday.
Published On 26 Sep 2025
India, the super-falcons-ready-for-battle-as-africas-top-womens-tournament-begins-in-morocco/” title=”WAFCON 2024: … Falcons ready for battle as Africa’s top women’s tournament begins in Morocco”>reigning champions, edged past Sri Lanka in a nail-biting finish that featured a spectacular century from Pathum Nissanka and a tense Super Over showdown, preserving their flawless record in the Asia Cup on Friday.
Although India had already secured their spot in the final against Pakistan and Sri Lanka was out of contention, the Super Fours match delivered some of the tournament’s most electrifying moments.
Sri Lanka put up a formidable fight, matching India’s total of 202 for 5, thanks largely to Nissanka’s impressive 107, the first individual century of this year’s competition.
However, Sri Lanka managed only two runs in the Super Over, losing both wickets within five balls to Arshdeep Singh’s precise bowling.
India’s captain, Suryakumar Yadav, confidently took three runs off the opening ball from Wanindu Hasaranga, sealing a well-earned victory.
Batting first, the 20-over world champions India posted the tournament’s inaugural 200-plus score, propelled by opener Abhishek Sharma’s third india-beat-bangladesh-asia-cup-final/” title=”Sharma's Stunning 75 Powers … to Thrilling Victory Over Bangladesh, Securing … Spot!”>consecutive half-century in the event.
Abhishek, currently ranked as the world’s leading T20 batsman, continued his excellent form with a blazing 61 runs from just 31 deliveries.
Opening partner Shubman Gill was dismissed early for four, and captain Suryakumar Yadav’s struggles with the bat persisted, scoring only 12 runs, but India’s innings remained strong as Abhishek reached his fifty in just 22 balls.
Sri Lanka’s captain Charith Asalanka eventually ended Abhishek’s innings, but Tilak Varma, unbeaten on 49, and Sanju Samson, who contributed 39 runs, kept the scoreboard ticking against the Sri Lankan attack.
During the chase, Sri Lanka lost Kusal Mendis for a duck in the opening over but quickly recovered to reach 72 for 1 after the powerplay.
India opted to rest their leading fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah, while Hardik Pandya bowled a solitary over before exiting the field.
Nissanka reached his half-century off 25 balls, and Kusal Perera also notched a well-deserved 58 runs.
Spinner Varun Chakravarthy broke the crucial 127-run partnership by dismissing Perera.
Nissanka accelerated to complete his century off 52 balls but was dismissed on the very first ball of the final over, leaving Sri Lanka tied with India at 202 for 5 and pushing the match into a Super Over.
