Sri Lanka Reach Women’s Asia Cup Final, Set to Face India

Defending champions Sri Lanka secured their place in the Women’s Asia Cup final with a four-wicket victory over Pakistan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The win sent Sri Lanka into the tournament’s final for the sixth time, where they will meet India on 13 September as they look to retain their title.

Batting first, Pakistan struggled early before recovering to post 130 for 5 in their 20 overs. Captain Fatima Sana anchored the innings with an unbeaten 47 off 36 deliveries, including four fours and two sixes. Opener Shawaal Zulfiqar added 24 from 16 balls.

Pakistan’s late recovery was powered by a 40-run fifth-wicket partnership off 37 balls and an unbeaten 38-run stand for the sixth wicket from just 24 deliveries.

Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu claimed two wickets for 24 runs, while left-arm spinner Chamudi Praboda also took two for 25.

Sri Lanka’s chase got off to a difficult start as Pakistan’s bowlers applied early pressure, reducing the defending champions to 33 for 4. Fatima Sana was particularly effective with the ball.

Sri Lanka responded through a crucial fifth-wicket partnership between Harshitha Samarawickrama and Kavisha Dilhari. The pair added 69 runs from 64 deliveries to revive the chase and put their side back in control.

Samarawickrama made 36 off 31 balls, while Dilhari scored 33 from 33 deliveries. Although Samarawickrama was later caught at fine leg off Fatima Sana, Sri Lanka remained firmly in the contest.

With 31 runs required from the final 23 balls, Pakistan still had hope of forcing a close finish. However, a no-ball from Fatima Sana on the second delivery of the 19th over proved decisive. Sri Lanka collected eight runs from the delivery, leaving them within sight of victory.

They completed the chase with seven balls remaining, securing a four-wicket win and a place in the final.

Fatima Sana finished with career-best figures of 4 for 32 in women’s T20 cricket, but her impressive individual performance could not prevent Pakistan from being eliminated.

Samarawickrama, who played an important role in Sri Lanka’s narrow group-stage win over Bangladesh, once again stepped up with a valuable contribution when her team needed it most.

Sri Lanka will now face India in the Women’s Asia Cup final on 13 September, with the defending champions aiming to successfully retain their crown.