In a nail-biting semi-final clash at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium, Sri Lanka edged past Pakistan by three wickets to secure their spot in the Women’s Asia Cup final.
Led by captain Chamari Athapaththu’s resilient knock of 63 runs, Sri Lanka successfully chased down Pakistan’s target of 141 runs in the last over of the game. Athapaththu’s strategic batting proved crucial in steering her team to victory amidst early setbacks.
Pakistan, batting first, posted a competitive total with Muneeba Ali contributing 37 runs as the highest scorer. However, their efforts fell short as Sri Lanka’s disciplined bowling and determined chase saw them through in a tense encounter.
Reflecting on the match, Athapaththu remarked, “The game was very tight and we stuck to our plans. We lost a couple of wickets early, but we executed our plans well in the end.” She attributed her successful innings to adapting her batting style after the early dismissals.
Meanwhile, Pakistani captain Nida Dar expressed disappointment at falling short in the crucial encounter, stating, “We were 10 to 15 runs short with the bat.” Despite the defeat, Dar remained optimistic about the team’s future, emphasizing the lessons they would take away from this experience.
Sri Lanka will now face India in the eagerly anticipated final on Sunday, with both teams poised for an intense battle for the Women’s Asia Cup title.
