Key Takeaways
- Sri Lanka defeated Pakistan in the Women’s Asia Cup semi-final.
- Fatima Sana scored an unbeaten 47 and took four wickets for Pakistan.
- Sri Lanka chased down 131 runs with seven balls to spare to secure the win.
In a thrilling Women’s Asia Cup semi-final, Sri Lanka overcame a strong Pakistani challenge to secure a place in the final against India. The match, played on Friday, saw Fatima Sana, the Pakistan captain, put up a valiant all-round effort, scoring an unbeaten 47 and taking four wickets.
Despite Fatima’s efforts, Sri Lanka’s Harshita Samarawickrama led the chase, scoring 36 off 31 balls. With the help of Kaushini Nuthyangana and Nilakshika Silva, Sri Lanka reached the target of 134-6 with seven balls to spare, setting up a final against India.
Pakistan’s innings began poorly, with Muneeba Ali falling to Sugandika Kumari in the second over. Shawaal Zulfiqaar then accelerated, hitting two fours and a six in the next over. However, she fell to Mithali Ayodhya in the following over, and the wicket was taken by Kaushini Nuthyangana.
Fatima Sana joined Gul Feroza but lasted only eight balls, scoring seven before being caught by Athapaththu. Sadaf Shamas was then stumped off Chamudi Praboda for eight off 11 balls, bringing Fatima to the crease. Fatima and Feroza consolidated the innings with a 40-run partnership before Feroza was caught by Athapaththu.
Fatima and Tuba Hassan then added 38 in the final four overs to take Pakistan to 130-6. Fatima battled cramps in the Dubai heat to remain unbeaten on 47, hitting boundaries off both Athapaththu and Kavisha Dilhari, while Tuba scored 12 off 10 balls.
Fatima made an immediate impact with the ball, taking two wickets from two deliveries in her first over. Athapaththu was caught at deep backward square before Sanjana Kavindi was dismissed off the next ball. Hasini Perera and Imesha Dulani then steadied the innings, rotating the strike to take Sri Lanka to 31 before Sadia Iqbal struck.
Perera miscued a delivery into the air, with Ayesha Zafar holding on to a well-judged catch. Umm-e-Hani then removed Dulani to reduce Sri Lanka to 33-4. However, Samarawickrama and Dilhari put Sri Lanka back in control with a 67-run partnership, taking the score to 100-4.
The pair took the attack to Pakistan’s spinners, scoring briskly against Tuba Hassan, Ayesha Zafar, and Nashra Sandhu. Fatima returned to strike twice in her third over and complete her four-wicket haul. She dismissed Samarawickrama off the first ball of the 17th over before trapping Dilhari leg-before wicket off the final delivery.
Two boundaries between those wickets, however, ensured Sri Lanka remained in control of the chase. Kaushini Nuthyangana and Nilakshika Silva then took Sri Lanka over the line, with Nuthyangana hitting the first six of her international career before Silva sealed victory with a four.
