Sri Lanka has secured its place in the Women’s Asia Cup final for the third consecutive time following a hard-fought four-wicket victory against Pakistan in Dubai on Friday, September 11. Despite a spectacular individual performance from Pakistan captain Fatima Sana, who contributed an unbeaten 47 off 36 balls and claimed 4 for 38 with the ball, Sri Lanka’s collective batting effort proved decisive. The defending champions successfully chased down the target of 131 with eight balls to spare.
Early Collapse and Recovery
The Sri Lankan chase began under immense pressure as Fatima Sana dismantled the top order early. Sana removed captain Chamari Athapaththu for 5 and Sanjana Kavindi in consecutive deliveries during the second over. The situation worsened when Sadia Iqbal dismissed Hasini Perera, and Umm-e-Hani accounted for Imesha Dulani, leaving the side reeling at 35 for 4 after seven overs. However, a steadying partnership between Harshitha Samarawickrama and Kavisha Dilhari shifted the momentum, guiding the team to 53 for 4 by the halfway mark.
Turning the Tide
- The middle overs proved pivotal as Dilhari and Samarawickrama accelerated the scoring, notably taking 22 runs off Tuba Hassan’s initial two-over spell.
- The pair compiled a crucial 50-run stand in 42 deliveries, reducing the required run rate significantly as the game entered the final stages.
- Fatima Sana returned to the attack in the 17th over, dismissing Samarawickrama and Dilhari, but the late-order cameos by Nilakshika Silva and Kaushani Nuthyangana ensured the target was met.
- A decisive chest-high full-toss from Sana was struck for six by Nuthyangana, followed by a match-winning boundary from Silva to seal the result.
Pakistan’s First Innings
Asked to bat first, Pakistan struggled to build momentum on a challenging surface. While Shawaal Zulfiqar provided a brief spark with a 16-ball 24, the team lost wickets at regular intervals. Chamari Athapaththu and Chamudi Praboda were instrumental in restricting the scoring, with the latter claiming two wickets to keep Pakistan at 92 for 5 after 16 overs. Fatima Sana’s late-innings surge, supported by a 38-run stand with Tuba Hassan, pushed the final total to 130 for 5, a score that ultimately fell short against the disciplined Sri Lankan lineup. The report also notes that fatima Sana’s all-round show (47* off 36 and 4 for 38) went in vain as Sri Lanka came up with a collective effort – led by Harshitha Samarawickrama and Kavisha Dilhari – to surpass Pakistan’s 130 for 5 with 8 deliveries. The report also notes that leaving Sri Lanka in deep trouble at 35/4 after seven overs, hasini Perera was dismissed for 3 by Sadia Iqbal before Umm-e-Hani removed the well-set Dulani for 22. The report also notes that with Tuba Hassan at the receiving end as she conceded 22 in her first two overs, the game swung in the next few overs as Dilhari and Samarawickrama struck some much-needed boundaries. The report also notes that the fifth wicket pair raised a half-century stand in 42 balls and brought down the equation to 36 off 30. The report also notes that skipper Sana brought herself back into the attack in what was an eventful 17th over.
Match Summary
- Pakistan: 130/5 in 20 overs (Fatima Sana 47*, Shawaal Zulfiqar 24; Chamari Athapaththu 2-24, Chamudi Praboda 2-25)
- Sri Lanka: 134/6 in 18.4 overs (Harshitha Samarawickrama 36, Kavisha Dilhari 33; Fatima Sana 4-38)
- Result: Sri Lanka won by 4 wickets.