Sri Lanka beat Pakistan to reach second successive Asia Cup final
Sri Lanka CricketNews article
Despite a formidable challenge from Pakistan captain Fatima Sana’s outstanding all-round performance, Sri Lanka Women fought to the finish to beat Pakistan by 5 wickets tonight (11th) and qualify for their second successive Asia Cup final. Sri Lanka will now face a formidable India side in Sunday’s final.
Sri Lanka also endured a difficult start to their chase of 131. Excellent bowling from Pakistan reduced them to 5 for 2, and they were in deep trouble when their fourth wicket fell with the score on 33.
Harshitha Samarawickrama and Kavisha Dilhari then rebuilt the innings. Their excellent fifth-wicket stand of 67 off 59 balls shifted the pressure back onto Pakistan.
Harshitha Samarawickrama scored 36 off 31 balls, while Kavisha Dilhari made 33 off 33. Their partnership kept Sri Lanka’s required run rate under control. However, with Sri Lanka closing in on victory, Sana struck again to dismiss both Samarawickrama and Dilhari and reignite the contest.
A waist-high no-ball from Sana then gave Sri Lanka an added advantage. Kaushini Nuthyangana struck the first six of her international career at that stage to bring Sri Lanka closer to victory.
Nilakshika Silva and Kaushini Nuthyangana then guided Sri Lanka home. Silva sealed the win with a fine boundary off Fatima Sana at the decisive moment. Sri Lanka thus recorded a 5-wicket victory with 8 balls to spare to reach their second successive Asia Cup final.
After winning the toss and asking Pakistan to bat, Sri Lanka’s spinners gave the opposition batters little freedom early on, reducing them to 52 for 4.
Chamari Athapaththu dismissed Shawaal Zulfiqar and Ayesha Zafar within the first two overs, while Sugandika Kumari removed Muneeba Ali. Then 17-year-old left-arm spinner Chamudi Praboda had Sadaf Shamas stumped as she advanced down the pitch, leaving Pakistan in further trouble. Even a respectable total looked difficult at that stage, but Fatima Sana overturned Sri Lanka’s bowling plans.
Pakistan captain Sana played out her first six deliveries without scoring before launching her attack from the seventh. She got off the mark with a four against Chamudi Praboda, then struck a four and a six off Kavisha Dilhari to breathe new life into Pakistan’s innings.
Although Gull Feroza fell for 21 off 32 balls, Sana rebuilt Pakistan’s innings single-handedly. She accelerated in the closing overs to finish unbeaten on 47 off 36 balls, with 4 fours and a towering six. Tuba Hassan contributed 12 as Pakistan scored 78 in the final 10 overs to finish on 130 for 5 from their 20 overs.
Chamari Athapaththu took 2 wickets for Sri Lanka, while Sugandika Kumari and Chamudi Praboda claimed one each.
Sana’s lone effort for Pakistan throughout the match was so impressive that she was named Player of the Match despite finishing on the losing side. She scored 47 off 36 balls and took 4 wickets for 38 runs.
Pakistan 130 for 5 in 20 overs – (Shawaal Zulfiqar 24, Gull Feroza 21, Fatima Sana 47*, Tuba Hassan 12, Chamari Athapaththu 24/2, Chamudi Praboda 25/2, Sugandika Kumari 20/1)
Sri Lanka 134 for 6 in 18.4 overs – (Imesa Dulani 24, Chamari Athapaththu 05, Sanjana Kavindi 00, Hasini Perera 03, Harshitha Samarawickrama 36, Kavisha Dilhari 33, Nilakshika Silva 18*, Kaushani Nuthyangana 10*, Fatima Sana 38/4, Sadia Iqbal 21/1, Umm-e-Hani 19/1)
Based on Sri Lanka Cricket reporting