DAMBULLA: Sri Lanka’s women’s cricket team qualified for the Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2024 final after securing a thrilling victory over Pakistan by three wickets in the second semi-final played at Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on Friday.
Chasing a target of 141 runs, Sri Lanka chased down the target in the final over with one ball to spare. Despite her best efforts, Pakistan’s captain Nida Dar delivered a crucial wide ball in the last over that swung the game in Sri Lanka’s favor, allowing the hosts to complete their chase with just one ball remaining.
Sri Lanka faced early setbacks, losing two wickets quickly and falling to 19-2 within four overs. However, captain Chamari Athapaththu played a stellar innings, scoring 63 runs off 48 balls, including 10 boundaries, to lead her team toward victory. Anushka Sanjeewani also contributed significantly with 24 runs, helping Sri Lanka secure the win.
For Pakistan, Sadia Iqbal took four wickets, while Nida Dar and Omaima Sohail each claimed one. Despite a strong bowling performance, Pakistan could not stop Sri Lanka from clinching the win.
Earlier, Pakistan had set a target of 141 runs. Openers Gull Feroza and Muneeba Ali built a solid 61-run partnership before Feroza was dismissed for 25 runs by Udeshika Prabodhani.
Muneeba Ali followed shortly after, scoring 37 runs off 34 balls. Sidra Amin contributed 10 runs, while captain Nida Dar made a quick 23 runs off 17 balls. Fatima Sana and Aliya Riaz also added valuable runs, with Sana scoring 23 off 17 balls and Riaz 16 off 15 balls.
Sri Lanka’s bowlers Udeshika Prabodhani and Kavisha Dilhari each took two wickets to restrict Pakistan’s scoring.
Sri Lanka will now face India in the final on July 28 in Dambulla.
Playing XIs
Sri Lanka Playing XI: Vishmi Gunaratne, Chamari Athapaththu (c), Harshitha Samarawickrama, Hasini Perera, Anushka Sanjeewani (wk), Kavisha Dilhari, Nilakshi de Silva, Inoshi Priyadharshani, Udeshika Prabodhani, Sugandika Kumari, Achini Kulasuriya
Pakistan Playing XI: Gull Feroza, Muneeba Ali (wk), Sidra Ameen, Nida Dar (c), Omaima Sohail, Aliya Riaz, Fatima Sana, Tuba Hassan, Sadia Iqbal, Nashra Sandhu, Syeda Aroob Shah
