Sri Lanka down Pakistan to set up final with India in Asia Cup 2024

DAMBULLA: Sri Lanka down Pakistan by three wickets in the second semi-final to qualify for the final of the ACC Women’s Asia Cup 2024 at Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on Friday.

Sri Lanka skipper Chamari Athapaththu played a match-winning knock of 63 off 48 deliveries to help her team reach the final of the tournament.

Wicketkeeping batter Anushka Sanjeewani remained unbeaten on 24 off 22 deliveries as Sri Lanka chased down the target of 141 in 19.5 overs.

For Pakistan, Sadia Iqbal returned with figures of 4/16 in her 4-over spell that included the prized scalp of Athapaththu.

Earlier, Pakistan posted a total of 140 in their 20 over after Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bowl first in the Women’s Asia Cup 2024 semi-final.

Put to bat first, Gull Feroza and Muneeba Ali opened the inning for the Greenshirts and provided a solid start of 61 in nine overs before Feroza was dismissed on the first delivery of the 10th over following a 24-ball 25 knock.

Her opening partner Muneeba Ali followed her to the dressing room after she was bowled on the last delivery of the same over. She scored 37 off 34 deliveries.

Sidra Amin’s stay at the crease was a shorter one as she departed after contributing 10 off 13 balls to the total.

Pakistan skipper Nidar Dar added 23 off 17 deliveries while Fatima Sana remained unbeaten on 23 to lift Pakistan to 140 for four in their 20 overs.

Speaking at the toss, Pakistan captain Dar said that 140 would be a good total to defend on the pitch.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka captain Athapaththu expressed confidence in her bowlers’ abilities and termed 140 a good total to chase.

Sri Lanka Playing XI: Vishmi Gunaratne, Chamari Athapaththu (c), Harshitha Samarawickrama, Hasini Anushka, Kavisha Dilhari, Nilakshika Silva, Inoshi Priyadharshani, Udeshika Prabodhani, Sugandika Kumari and Achini Kulasuriya.

Pakistan Playing XI: Muneeba Ali (wk), Gull Feroza, Sidra Amin, Nida Dar (c), Omaima Sohail, Aliya Riaz, Fatima Sana, Syeda Aroob Shah, Tuba Hassan, Sadia Iqbal and Nashra Sandhu.

Pakistan women began their Women’s Asia Cup 2024 campaign with a seven-wicket defeat against arch-rivals India.

They later made a remarkable comeback with comprehensive victories over the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Nepal.

Sri Lanka remain unbeaten in the ongoing continental tournament as they have won all of their three group-stage fixtures and topping the Group B standings.