Sri Lanka secured a thrilling three-wicket victory over Pakistan in the second semifinal of the Women’s Asia Cup on Friday, setting the stage for a captivating final showdown against India. The win came thanks to a diligent half-century from skipper Chamari Athapaththu, who steered her team close to the target of 141 runs.
Athapaththu, the tournament’s leading run-scorer with 223 runs, played a crucial role in the chase, scoring a well-paced 63 runs off 48 balls, studded with nine fours and a six. Her innings, combined with Anushka Sanjeevani’s unbeaten 24 runs, ensured Sri Lanka reached the target of 141 for 7 in 19.5 overs.
Earlier in the match, Pakistan relied on contributions from Muneeba Ali (37), Gull Feroza (25), captain Nida Dar (23), and Fatima Sana (23 not out) to post a total of 140 for four. Despite getting starts, none of the Pakistani batters could convert their innings into substantial scores, leaving the team with a slightly below-par total.
Sri Lanka’s chase was punctuated by a crucial partnership of 61 runs between Kalisha Dilhari (17) and Athapaththu for the third wicket, which gave them a firm grip on the match. However, Pakistan remained in contention thanks to a brilliant spell by experienced left-arm spinner Sadia Iqbal, who took four wickets for 16 runs in four overs. Despite Iqbal’s exceptional performance, the host team managed to cross the line, ultimately securing a memorable victory.
In the first semifinal, defending champions India secured a dominant 10-wicket win against Bangladesh. The final will now take place on Sunday, promising an exciting encounter between India and Sri Lanka as they battle for the Asia Cup title.
