India thrash Pakistan in Asia Cup

Colombo: Three-time champions India geared up for Sunday's final against Sri Lanka with a resounding 206-run victory over Pakistan in their last league encounter of the Women's Asia Cup in Dambulla on Friday.

Meanwhile, in another match India's opponent in the final, Sri Lanka, beat Bangladesh by nine wickets in Kurunegala.

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 piled 283-3 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 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 an unbeaten 51 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 debutante fast bowler Snehal Pradhan and Jhulan Goswami and slumped to 45-5 in 20 overs.

Left-arm spinner Neetu David then joined the party for India 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.

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