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.
In a Women's Asia Cup semi-final, Sri Lanka triumphed over Pakistan, setting up a 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.
Pakistan's batting struggled early, with Muneeba Ali falling to Sugandika Kumari in the second over. Shawaal Zulfiqaar, however, accelerated, hitting two fours and a six in the next over. She then cleared long-on for six but fell to the same bowler, this time to the wicketkeeper's catch.
Fatima Sana joined Gul Feroza, who lasted only eight balls, scoring seven before edging Chamari Athapaththu to the wicketkeeper. Sadaf Shamas was stumped off Chamudi Praboda for eight, bringing Fatima to the crease. Fatima and Feroza consolidated the innings with a 40-run partnership before Feroza was caught by Athapaththu at long-off.
Fatima and Tuba Hassan added 38 runs in the final four overs, taking Pakistan to 130-6. Fatima battled cramps to remain unbeaten on 47, while Tuba scored 12 off 10 balls. Fatima's bowling was equally effective, taking two wickets from two deliveries in her first over and completing her four-wicket haul.
Sri Lanka opted to bowl after winning the toss, meaning Pakistan batted first. Athapaththu and Sanjana Kavindi were dismissed early, but Hasini Perera and Imesha Dulani steadied the innings. Perera was caught by Ayesha Zafar, and Umm-e-Hani removed Dulani, reducing Sri Lanka to 33-4.
Samarawickrama and Dilhari then put Sri Lanka back in control with a 67-run partnership, taking the score to 100-4. Samarawickrama and Dilhari took the attack to Pakistan's spinners, scoring briskly against Tuba Hassan, Ayesha Zafar, and Nashra Sandhu.
Fatima returned to the attack, dismissing Samarawickrama off the first ball of the 17th over and trapping Dilhari leg-before wicket off the final delivery. Despite Fatima's efforts, Sri Lanka chased down 131 runs with seven balls to spare, with Kaushini Nuthyangana hitting the first six of her international career and Nilakshika Silva sealing victory with a four.
