{
  "id": 7151624,
  "title": "How Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana powered India to a record 8th Asia Cup title",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/13/how-shafali-verma-smriti-mandhana-powered-india-to-a-record-8th-asia",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-13T18:42:33.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Indian Express",
    "slug": "the-indian-express",
    "url": "https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/shafali-verma-smriti-mandhana-asia-cup-ind-vs-sl-10876685/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In a record-extending eighth Asia Cup title, India's Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana powered past Sri Lanka in a thrilling Women’s Asia Cup final. The match took place in Dubai on Sunday. Smriti Mandhana opened the batting, with Shafali Verma by her side. They formed a formidable opening partnership, putting on a 129-run stand. Shafali Verma set the pace with a gritty display, quickly compiling a rapid fifty off just 24 balls, the fastest fifty in Women’s T20 Asia Cup history. Mandhana, content to play second fiddle, accelerated behind Shafali's efforts, contributing a fifty of her own. Despite Sri Lanka's valiant chase, India's relentless pace bowling, led by Sree Charani, proved too much to handle. Charani's 4 wickets for 20 runs, including early dismissals, effectively dismantled Sri Lanka's chase. With Charani's exceptional performance and the combined efforts of India's pacers, India sealed their record-extending eighth Asia Cup title by 72 runs.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana lead India to 8th Asia Cup title",
    "Verma's 50 off 24 balls fastest in Women’s T20 Asia Cup history",
    "Sree Charani's 4 wickets for 20 runs dismantles Sri Lanka's chase"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Press Journal",
        "title": "Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana Create History With Record-Breaking Stand In Women's Asia Cup 2026 Final",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/13/shafali-verma-smriti-mandhana-create-history-with-record-breaking",
        "published": "2026-09-13T15:29:17.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Al Jazeera",
        "title": "India win Women’s Asia Cup but do not accept trophy",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/13/india-win-womens-asia-cup-but-do-not-accept-trophy",
        "published": "2026-09-13T20:41:12.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Times",
        "title": "India win Women’s Asia Cup, but sportsmanship loses out",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/13/india-win-womens-asia-cup-but-sportsmanship-loses-out",
        "published": "2026-09-13T20:42:53.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}