Sri Lanka Secure Final Berth, India Await in Women’s Asia Cup

Bangla Press Desk:   Defending champions Sri Lanka have reached the final of the Women’s Asia Cup after beating Pakistan by four wickets. The victory at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium took Sri Lanka into the tournament final for the sixth time. They will face India in the title clash on 13 September, with the defending champions aiming to retain their crown.

Batting first, Pakistan made a poor start but recovered to post a challenging 130 for 5 in 20 overs. Captain Fatima Sana led the recovery with an unbeaten 47 off 36 balls, hitting four boundaries and two sixes. Opener Shawaal Zulfiqar provided useful support with 24 off 16 balls.Pakistan’s recovery was built around a 40-run fifth-wicket partnership off 37 balls, followed by an unbeaten 38-run stand for the sixth wicket from just 24 deliveries.

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

Chasing 131, Sri Lanka found themselves in early trouble as Pakistan’s bowlers put them under pressure. At one stage, they were reduced to 33 for 4, with Fatima Sana making a significant impact with the ball.

Sri Lanka, however, fought back through a crucial fifth-wicket partnership. Harshitha Samarawickrama and Kavisha Dilhari added 69 runs from 64 balls to put the defending champions firmly back on course.

Samarawickrama scored 36 off 31 balls, while Dilhari contributed 33 off 33. Even after Samarawickrama was caught at fine leg off Fatima Sana, Sri Lanka remained in control.

With 31 runs needed from 23 balls, the match appeared to be heading towards a tense finish. But a no-ball from Fatima Sana in the second delivery of the 19th over effectively ended Pakistan’s hopes. Sri Lanka took eight runs from that delivery and moved within touching distance of victory.

They eventually reached the target with seven balls to spare, winning by four wickets and booking their place in the final.

Fatima Sana finished with a career-best 4 for 32 in women’s T20 cricket, but her outstanding individual performance was not enough to take Pakistan into the final.

Samarawickrama, who played a key role in Sri Lanka’s narrow victory over Bangladesh in the group stage, once again made a valuable contribution when her team needed it most.

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