Sri Lanka is set to face India in the Women’s Asia Cup final for the third consecutive time following a tense four-wicket victory over Pakistan in the semifinal held in Dubai on Friday, September 11. Despite a standout individual performance from Pakistan captain Fatima Sana, who claimed 4 for 38 and scored an unbeaten 47 off 36 balls, Sri Lanka’s collective batting effort proved decisive as they chased down the target of 131 with eight balls remaining.
The Sri Lankan chase began poorly, with Sana removing 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 defending champions struggling at 35 for 4 by the seventh over. However, a crucial 67-run partnership between Harshitha Samarawickrama and Kavisha Dilhari stabilized the innings. The pair accelerated the scoring against Tuba Hassan, who conceded 22 runs in her first two overs, bringing the required rate down to 36 off 30 balls.
The match remained volatile in the final stages. Sana returned to dismiss Samarawickrama and later claimed the wicket of Dilhari, who was controversially given out lbw despite appearing to glove the ball. With 22 runs needed from 18 balls, Nilakshika Silva hit a vital boundary off Sadia Iqbal. Kaushani Nuthyangana then struck a six off a high full-toss from Sana, and Nilakshika sealed the win with a boundary, maintaining Sri Lanka’s unbeaten tournament record.
Earlier, Pakistan opted to bat first and faced a disciplined bowling attack. After losing Muneeba Ali early, Shawaal Zulfiqar provided a brief spark with a 16-ball 24. However, wickets fell at regular intervals, with Athapaththu dismissing Zulfiqar and Ayesha Zafar, while Chamudi Praboda accounted for Sadaf Shamas and Gull Feroza. Pakistan reached 92 for 5 by the 16th over, before Sana and Tuba Hassan added 38 runs for the sixth wicket to push the total to 130 for 5.
Final scorecard: Pakistan finished at 130/5 in 20 overs, led by Fatima Sana’s 47* and Shawaal Zulfiqar’s 24. Sri Lanka’s bowling was anchored by Athapaththu (2-24) and Praboda (2-25). In response, Sri Lanka reached 134/6 in 18.4 overs, anchored by Samarawickrama’s 36 and Dilhari’s 33, ultimately securing their place in the tournament decider. 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 taking their side to 53 for 4 at the halfway stage, dilhari and Samarawickrama built a watchful partnership. The report also notes that imesha Dulani struck a few boundaries but Pakistan continued to squeeze the defending champions. The report also notes that the fifth wicket pair raised a half-century stand in 42 balls and brought down the equation to 36 off 30. The report also notes that skipper Sana brought herself back into the attack in what was an eventful 17th over.
