Sri Lanka 134 for 6 (Samarawickrama 36, Dilhari 33, Sana 4-36) beat Pakistan 130 for 5 (Sana 47, Athapaththu 2-24, Praboda 2-25) by four wickets
Sri Lanka held their nerve in a tense semi-final against Pakistan in Dubai, overcoming a superb all-round performance from Fatima Sana to win by four wickets and book a place in the Women’s Asia Cup final against India.
Pakistan appeared to have little chance of posting a competitive total after slumping to 52 for four, but Sana produced a remarkable counter-attacking innings to drag them to 130 for five.
Sana top-scored with 47 off 36 balls, then returned with the ball to take four wickets and keep Pakistan firmly in the contest. But Sri Lanka’s greater batting depth eventually proved decisive as they reached 134 for six with seven balls to spare.
The victory sends Sri Lanka into their second successive Asia Cup final, setting up another meeting with India.
Sri Lanka’s chase could hardly have started worse. They were reduced to five for two and then 33 for four as Pakistan’s bowlers made early inroads.
But Harshitha Samarawickrama and Kavisha Dilhari steadied the innings with a crucial 67-run partnership from 59 balls. Samarawickrama made 36 from 31 balls, while Dilhari contributed 33 off 33, patiently rebuilding the chase when Pakistan appeared to have control.
Sana briefly swung the momentum back Pakistan’s way when she returned to dismiss both batters in the same over, leaving Sri Lanka with more work to do.
Yet the defending champions refused to panic.
Nilakshika Silva and Kaushini Nuthyangana carried the responsibility through the closing stages, with Nuthyangana striking her first six in international cricket. A costly high full toss from Sana then went for six, leaving Sri Lanka needing only five from the final 11 balls.
Nilakshika eventually finished the contest with a boundary, prompting jubilant celebrations in the Sri Lankan camp.
Earlier, Sri Lanka’s decision to field first proved a smart one. Chamari Athapaththu continued her excellent tournament with two early wickets, dismissing Shawaal Zulfiqar and Ayesha Zafar.
Sugandika Kumari then removed Muneeba Ali before 17-year-old Chamudi Prabodha added another breakthrough, outfoxing Sadaf Shamas and having her stumped.
Pakistan were struggling at 52 for four at the halfway stage, but Sana changed the complexion of the innings. After beginning with six consecutive dot balls, she broke free with a series of attacking strokes, including a six over square leg.
She received useful support from Gull Feroza and Tuba Hasan, helping Pakistan add 78 runs from the final 10 overs.
Sana’s extraordinary contribution ultimately fell just short. Sri Lanka’s resilience, batting depth and ability to absorb pressure carried them through a demanding semi-final.
Now comes the biggest test. India await in the final, with Sri Lanka seeking another Asia Cup triumph.
