Saturday, May 10, 2008, Jamadi-ul-Awwal 3, 1429    

India, Lanka gear up for Women Asia Cup final

Lahore—Three-time champion India and Sri Lanka geared up for Sunday’s final in the Women’s Asia Cup with convincing victories in the last round matches in Sri Lanka on Friday.
India defeated traditional rival Pakistan by 206 runs in Kurunegala while Sri Lanka beat Bangladesh by nine wickets in Dambulla, said the information made available here.
Sunday’s final between India and Sri Lanka will be played in Kurunegala with India bidding to win the tournament for the fourth successive time.
Electing to bat first, India collected 283-3 in 50 overs after openers Jaya Sharma and Karuna Jain provided their team a 114-run start in 20 overs. The partnership ended when Karuna was run-out after scoring 37 that included six boundaries.
Jaya followed Karuna 26 runs later after scoring a well-made 74, her 13th ODI half-century. She faced 91 balls and hit 12 fours.
Anagha Deshpande, making her debut, contributed 38 and featured in a 53-run third wicket stand with captain Mithali Raj in 10 overs, who was later involved in a 90-run unbroken fourth wicket partnership with Rumeli Dhar.
Mithali returned unbeaten on 62, her 22nd career half-century, while Rumeli chipped in with a rapid 51 not out which was her fifth half-century. Mithali faced 58 balls and hit five fours while Rumeli’s 45-ball knock included six fours and a six.
Pakistan, in turn, was rocked by debutant fast bowler Snehal Pradhan and Jhulan Goswami and slumped to 45-5 in 20 overs before left-arm spinner Neetu David joined action and picked up 3-9 as Pakistan was bowled out for 76 in 33.3 overs.
Snehal returned figures of 10-1-21-3 while Jhulan bagged 2-19.
In Kurunegala, Dedunu Silva and Shashikala Siriwardene added 81 runs for the unbroken second wicket as Sri Lanka defeated Bangladesh by nine wickets.
Dedunu scored 66 off 82 balls with 12 fours while Shashikala followed up her 2-28 with 23 that came off 34 balls and included two fours.
Sunday’s fixture: Final,India v Sri Lanka, Welagedara Stadium Kurunegala.—APP