Dubai : Sri Lanka crushed UAE (United Arab Emirates) by nine wickets in a commanding display of all-round dominance, as Mithali Ayodhya Bandara and Aluth Gedara Chethana Vimukthi dismantled the UAE batting line-up with three wickets apiece. Their combined six-wicket haul spearheaded a clinical bowling performance, restricting UAE to a modest total of just 79. In pursuit of the 80-run target, Chamari Athapaththu unleashed a blazing 48 off 25 balls to power Sri Lanka to a comprehensive and emphatic victory in just 7.5 overs, finishing on 80/1 in the second match of the T20 Asia Cup 2026 at the Dubai International Stadium in Dubai on Saturday, 29 August.
Sri Lanka began their 2026 Asia Cup title defence with an emphatic victory, registering their biggest T20I win in terms of balls remaining. Opting to bowl first, Sri Lanka made an immediate impact as the duo of Mithali Ayodhya Bandara and Aluth Gedara Chethana Vimukthi produced devastating spells, claiming three wickets apiece. They were well supported by Sugandika Kumari, who took two wickets, while Chamari Athapaththu and Kavisha Dilhari claimed one wicket each. Sri Lanka’s disciplined bowling attack maintained relentless pressure throughout the innings, eventually bowling UAE out for a disappointing total of 79 in 19.5 overs. Chasing the modest target, Sri Lanka’s captain led the batting charge with a stunning 48 off 25 balls, finding excellent support from Imesha Dulani, who contributed a solid 25 off 18. Their rapidly constructed partnership put the chase firmly in Sri Lanka’s control as they raced to the target in just 7.5 overs. After losing only one wicket, Sri Lanka sealed a commanding nine-wicket victory with 73 balls to spare.
The match began with Sri Lanka winning the toss and electing to bowl first. With that decision, Sri Lanka made an immediate impact as Mithali Ayodhya Bandara struck early, dismissing Theertha Satish for a duck with the fourth ball of the innings. Then, Aluth Gedara Chethana Vimukthi, the T20I debutant, sent Lavanya Keny back to the pavilion, who was bowled for just 3 off 11 balls, leaving UAE in early trouble at 9/2. With the early setbacks, UAE captain Esha Oza tried to rebuild the innings, with the first boundary of the innings finally coming in the fifth over. However, UAE endured a difficult and disappointing powerplay, reaching just 22/2 as Sri Lanka’s disciplined bowling attack kept the pressure firmly on, with the conditions offering plenty of assistance to the seamers. After the powerplay, Sri Lanka’s devastating bowling dominance continued through the middle overs. The introduction of spin put the batters under further pressure, as left-arm spinner Sugandika Kumari successfully dismissed UAE captain Esha Oza for 18 off 24 balls, with Oza finishing as the highest scorer for UAE. Wickets continued to fall at regular intervals as Sri Lanka maintained relentless pressure. Heena Hotchandani, who scored 10 off 18 balls, fell to Chamari Athapaththu, while Kavisha Dilhari removed Samaira Dharnidharka, who made 17 off 25 balls, as UAE slipped to 56/5 inside 15 overs. Rinitha Rajith provided a brief spark of momentum, striking two boundaries as she looked to attack and push the score forward before eventually being dismissed by Aluth Gedara Chethana Vimukthi. However, UAE suffered a lower-order collapse as Vimukthi and Ayodhya Bandara returned during the death overs and cleaned up the tail, taking two wickets apiece. UAE managed only four runs in the final overs before being bowled out for 79 in 19.5 overs. The 19-year-old Mithali Ayodhya Bandara delivered an outstanding performance, producing figures of 3/14 in 3.5 overs while maintaining an excellent economy rate of 3.65. Alongside her, Aluth Gedara Chethana Vimukthi made a strong impact on her T20I debut, delivering a commanding spell of 3/16 in four overs at an excellent economy rate of 4.00. Sugandika Kumari also made a valuable contribution, finishing with figures of 2/18. The UAE batting line-up struggled throughout the innings, failing to build any meaningful momentum against Sri Lanka’s relentless and disciplined bowling attack. While chasing the target of 80, Sri Lanka delivered an explosive start, setting the tone early as both openers, Imesha Dulani and Chamari Athapaththu, struck regular boundaries. The duo stitched together a flying 57-run partnership inside the powerplay, putting Sri Lanka firmly in control while chasing just half of the target. Athapaththu also achieved a remarkable feat, becoming the first player to reach 500 runs in Women’s Asia Cup history, bringing up the milestone in style with a six off Esha Oza in the fourth over. But Athapaththu’s assault continued as Sanjana Kavindi joined her at the crease. She brought the chase to a swift conclusion, smashing two fours and a six from just nine balls to take Sri Lanka comfortably over the line in only 7.5 overs. She remained unbeaten on a blazing 48 off 25 balls, including seven fours and two sixes, as Sri Lanka sealed a commanding nine-wicket victory at 80/1, with 73 balls to spare.
The T20I debutant Aluth Gedara Chethana Vimukthi deservedly claimed the Player of the Match award after producing a commanding spell of 3/16 from her four overs, playing a pivotal role in Sri Lanka’s emphatic victory. With that, Sri Lanka opened their Asia Cup 2026 campaign in emphatic fashion, delivering a dominant all-round performance to make a strong statement at the start of their title defence. Sri Lanka and UAE will both face Indonesia in their next fixtures, with Sri Lanka taking on Indonesia on Wednesday, 2 September, while UAE will face Indonesia on 4 September.
