Women end Asia Cup quietly

Bangladesh women's cricket team completed their first Asia Cup campaign with an embarrassing nine-wicket loss at the hands of hosts Sri Lanka at the Welagedara Stadium in Kurunegala yesterday.
Electing to field first, the Lankan women were always on top bowling out Bangladesh for only 120 runs in 49.3 overs. Dedunu Silva smashed an unbeaten 66 to power the hosts to the winning target in only 25.5 overs to move into the finals where they face India on Sunday.
Right-handed Silva, an opening batswoman, struck twelve boundaries in her 82-ball innings that was complemented by Shashikala Siriwardene, who chipped in with a 34-ball 23. The two batswomen shared an unbroken 81-run second wicket stand to take the Lankans home.
Off-spinner Rumana Ahmed took the only wicket to fall as she had Chamari Polgampola caught behind for 14.
Earlier, the hosts had Bangladesh in early trouble. Janakanthy Mala removed Shukhtara for a nine-ball duck and added Shathira Jakir in her next over, and left-arm spinner Suwini de Alwis struck to make it 29 for 3. Ayesha Akhtar stuck around long enough to top-score with 30 from 75 deliveries but nobody else crossed 20 and Bangladesh were all out for 120 in 49.3 overs.
Mala finished with the most excellent figures of 10-6-9-3 and was backed up by Shashikala Siriwardene's 3 for 28.
Meanwhile, powerhouse India crushed women's cricket minnows Pakistan by 207 runs in Dambulla. Batting first, the Indians scored 283-3, to which the Pakistanis replied and only scored 76.
India, who have got four of the five 200-plus totals in the tournament, were given an impressive start by openers Karuna Jain and Jaya Sharma, who added 114 in 20.4 overs. Anagha Deshpande and Mithali Raj put on 53 more before Raj and Rumeli Dhar added an unbeaten 90 to take India to the big score.
An out-of-depth Pakistan lost their first four wickets for 44 runs. Snehal Pradhan removed Bismah Maroof off the second ball she bowled. Pakistan had crawled to 62 when left-arm spinner David took two wickets in one over to reduce them to 66 got 8. The misery lasted six more overs before India ended it ruthlessly.
India will now play Sri Lanka in the final.
SCORES IN BRIEF
BANGLADESH: 120 all out in 49.3 overs (Ayesha 30; Mala 3-9).
SRI LANKA: 123-1 in 25.5 overs (Silva 66*; Rumana 1-14).
Result: Sri Lanka won by nine wickets.