Sri Lanka Women Cricket Team Beat Pakistan by 3 wickets
In Dambulla on Friday, Captain Chamari Athapaththu’s half century helped Sri Lanka to a thrilling three-wicket win over Pakistan in the second semifinal of the women’s Asia Cup, setting up the title clash against India. In the first semifinal earlier, defending champions India had beaten Bangladesh by 10 wickets. The final will be played on Sunday. Athapaththu, who is the highest run-getter in the event with 223 runs, single-handedly guided the Lankans close to the target of 141, making a well-paced 63 off 48 balls. Her fifty and Anushka Sanjeevani’s unbeaten 24 helped Lanka reach 141 for 7 in 19.5 overs. Kalisha Dilhari (17, 18 balls) helped Athapaththu milk 61 runs for the third wicket that gave Lanka a firm hold on the match.
Pakistan stayed in the fight through a brilliant spell by experienced left-arm spinner Sadia Iqbal (4/16 off 4 overs), but she did not have much support from the other end as the hosts stumbled across the line.
Brief Score
Pakistan Women Score: 140/4 in 20.0 overs
Muneeba Ali 37(34), Gull Feroza 25(24), Udeshika Prabodhani 4-23-2, Kavisha Dilhari 4-30-2
Sri Lanka Women Score: 141/7 in 19.5 overs
Chamari Athapaththu 63(48), Anushka Sanjeewani 24(22), Sadia Iqbal 4-16-4, Omaima Sohail 3-16-1