Sri Lanka’s women’s cricket team secured a thrilling victory over Pakistan by three wickets in the second semi-final of the Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2024 at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on Friday.
Chasing a target of 141 runs, the match went down to the wire with Sri Lanka needing three runs off the last six balls. Pakistan’s skipper, Nida Dar, bowled the final over, creating tension by making it difficult for the home side. However, a wide ball from Dar in the final moments shifted the game in Sri Lanka’s favor.
Sri Lanka’s chase started shakily as they lost Vishmi Gunaratne and Harshitha Samarawickrama early, leaving them at 19-2 in just four overs. Skipper Chamari Athapaththu then played a captain’s knock, scoring 63 runs off 48 balls with 10 boundaries, steering her team close to victory. Anushka Sanjeewani’s crucial 24 runs lower down the order ensured the hosts reached the target with just one ball to spare.
For Pakistan, Sadia Iqbal was the standout bowler, taking four wickets, while Nida Dar and Omaima Sohail picked up one each.
Earlier, after being put in to bat first, Pakistan’s openers Gull Feroza and Muneeba Ali provided a solid start with a 61-run partnership. Feroza was dismissed for 25 runs, and Muneeba followed soon after, scoring 37 runs off 34 balls. Pakistan’s middle order struggled, with Sidra Amin managing only 10 runs. However, late contributions from skipper Nida Dar (23 off 17 balls), Fatima Sana (23 off 17), and Aliya Riaz (16 off 15) helped Pakistan set a competitive total of 141 runs.
For Sri Lanka, Udeshika Prabodhani and Kavisha Dilhari were effective with the ball, each taking two wickets.
Sri Lanka will now face India in the final on July 28 in Dambulla.
