Sri Lanka has booked its place in the Women’s Asia Cup final for the third consecutive time, overcoming a spirited Pakistan side in a tense semifinal encounter held in Dubai on Friday, September 11. Despite a remarkable individual performance from Pakistan’s Fatima Sana, who contributed an unbeaten 47 off 36 balls and claimed 4 for 38, Sri Lanka successfully chased down the target of 131 with eight balls remaining.
Early Struggles and Recovery
The chase began in precarious fashion for Sri Lanka, as Fatima Sana dismantled the top order early. Sana dismissed captain Chamari Athapaththu for 5 and Sanjana Kavindi in consecutive deliveries during the second over. Further pressure from Sadia Iqbal and Umm-e-Hani left the batting side reeling at 35 for 4 after seven overs. However, a measured partnership between Harshitha Samarawickrama and Kavisha Dilhari stabilized the innings, reaching 53 for 4 by the midway point.
Turning the Tide
- The momentum shifted significantly when the pair attacked Tuba Hassan, who conceded 22 runs in her opening two overs.
- Samarawickrama and Dilhari compiled a crucial 50-run stand off 42 balls, reducing the required run rate to a manageable level.
- Even as Sana returned to remove both set batters in the 17th over, the lower order maintained composure.
- With 22 runs needed from 18 balls, a pivotal six from Kaushani Nuthyangana off a high full-toss helped accelerate the victory.
- Nilakshika Silva ultimately struck the winning boundary to confirm a final showdown against India.
Pakistan’s Innings Breakdown
Asked to bat first on a challenging surface, Pakistan experienced a mixed start. Shawaal Zulfiqar provided early aggression with a 16-ball 24, but her dismissal in the fifth over slowed the momentum. The team reached 33 for 2 by the end of the Powerplay. Disciplined bowling from Chamari Athapaththu and Chamudi Praboda ensured that Pakistan struggled to accelerate, limiting the scoring rate during the middle overs to just 31 runs between overs 11 and 15. Gull Feroza contributed 21 off 32 balls before falling to Praboda, leaving the score at 92 for 5 after 16 overs.
Final Flourish
Fatima Sana anchored the tail, sharing a vital 38-run partnership with Tuba Hassan to push Pakistan to a total of 130 for 5. While the score proved insufficient against the depth of the Sri Lankan lineup, Sana’s all-round display remained the standout feature of the match. The result extends Sri Lanka’s unbeaten streak in the tournament, setting the stage for a highly anticipated final against India. The report also notes that fatima Sana’s all-round show (47* off 36 and 4 for 38) went in vain as Sri Lanka came up with a collective effort – led by Harshitha Samarawickrama and Kavisha Dilhari – to surpass Pakistan’s 130 for 5 with 8 deliveries. The report also notes that leaving Sri Lanka in deep trouble at 35/4 after seven overs, hasini Perera was dismissed for 3 by Sadia Iqbal before Umm-e-Hani removed the well-set Dulani for 22. The report also notes that imesha Dulani struck a few boundaries but Pakistan continued to squeeze the defending champions. The report also notes that taking their side to 53 for 4 at the halfway stage, dilhari and Samarawickrama built a watchful partnership.
Match Summary
- Pakistan: 130/5 in 20 overs (Fatima Sana 47*, Shawaal Zulfiqar 24; Chamari Athapaththu 2-24, Chamudi Praboda 2-25)
- Sri Lanka: 134/6 in 18.4 overs (Harshitha Samarawickrama 36, Kavisha Dilhari 33; Fatima Sana 4-38)
- Outcome: Sri Lanka won by 4 wickets.
