WEB DESK: Sri Lanka’s women’s cricket team secured a dramatic three-wicket victory over Pakistan in the second semi-final of the Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2024, held on Friday at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium.
Chasing a target of 141 runs, the Lankans reached their goal in the final over. Pakistan’s captain, Nida Dar, bowled the last over with Sri Lanka needing three runs off six balls. Despite Dar’s efforts to stifle the batters, a wide delivery ultimately sealed the win for the hosts.
Sri Lanka’s innings began on a shaky note with early dismissals of Vishmi Gunaratne and Harshitha Samarawickrama, leaving the team at 19-2 in four overs. However, skipper Chamari Athapaththu anchored the innings with a solid 63 runs off 48 balls. Anushka Sanjeewani further contributed with 24 runs, making the chase achievable.
Pakistan’s Sadia Iqbal was the standout bowler, taking four wickets, while Dar and Omaima Sohail took one wicket each.
Earlier, Sri Lanka invited Pakistan to bat first. Openers Gull Feroza and Muneeba Ali established a 61-run partnership before Ali was dismissed for 25 runs. Feroza followed in the same over, scoring 37 runs off 34 balls. Sidra Amin, who replaced Ali, was dismissed after scoring 10 runs. Contributions from Dar (23 runs off 17 balls), Fatima Sana (23 runs off 17 balls), and Aliya Riaz (16 runs off 15 balls) helped Pakistan set a target of 141 runs.
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Chamari Athapaththu was named Player of the Match for her 63-run performance.
Sri Lanka will now face India in the final of the Women’s T20 Asia Cup on July 28 in Dambulla.
Playing XIs:
- Sri Lanka: Vishmi Gunaratne, Chamari Athapaththu (c), Harshitha Samarawickrama, Hasini Perera, Anushka Sanjeewani (wk), Kavisha Dilhari, Nilakshi de Silva, Inoshi Priyadharshani, Udeshika Prabodhani, Sugandika Kumari, Achini Kulasuriya.
- Pakistan: Gull Feroza, Muneeba Ali (wk), Sidra Ameen, Nida Dar (c), Omaima Sohail, Aliya Riaz, Fatima Sana, Tuba Hassan, Sadia Iqbal, Nashra Sandhu, Syeda Aroob Shah.
