Sri Lanka beat Pakistan by four wickets to reach Asia Cup final

Sri Lanka defeated Pakistan by four wickets in Dubai on Friday to reach the Asia Cup final for the third consecutive time, setting up another showdown with India.

Chasing Pakistan’s 131, the defending champions reached the target with eight balls to spare after losing six wickets, with Harshitha Samarawickrama and Kavisha Dilhari playing key roles in a remarkable recovery.

Sri Lanka made a disastrous start to their chase. In the second over, Pakistan captain Fatima Sana dismissed Chamari Athapaththu and Sanjana Kavindi off consecutive deliveries. Athapaththu scored five off six balls.

Imesha Dulani attempted to fight back with a few boundaries, but Pakistan’s bowlers maintained the pressure. Hasini Perera was dismissed for three by Sadia Yaqoob before Umm-e-Hani removed the well-set Dulani.

Sri Lanka were reduced to 35 for four after seven overs and were in serious trouble. Harshitha and Dilhari then batted cautiously to rebuild the innings, taking the score to 53 for four after 10 overs.

The momentum gradually shifted as the pair began finding boundaries regularly. Tuba Hassan conceded 22 runs in her first two overs, while Harshitha and Dilhari added 50 runs for the fifth wicket off 42 balls, reducing the equation to 36 runs from 30 deliveries.

Pakistan skipper Sana returned to bowl in the 17th over and immediately made an impact, dismissing Harshitha for 36. Shawal Zulfiqar took an excellent catch at short fine leg.

Sana struck again in the same over, removing Dilhari amid controversy. The batter appeared to have edged the ball while attempting a scoop, but she was given out leg before wicket. With no review available, Dilhari had to depart for 33.

Sana finished with four wickets for 38 runs to give Pakistan hope of defending the total.

Sri Lanka, however, held their nerve in the closing stages. They needed 22 runs from 18 balls before important boundaries from Nilakshika de Silva brought the equation down to 13 from 12.

Kawshani Nuthyangana then smashed a chest-high full toss from Sana for six before Nilakshika hit the winning boundary, sealing the victory in 18.4 overs.

Earlier, Pakistan also struggled to build momentum after being put into bat. Muneeba Ali was dismissed for two off eight balls before Shawal Zulfiqar provided some impetus with a 16-ball 24, including two fours and two sixes, before falling to Athapaththu.

Pakistan reached 33 for two in the powerplay and slipped further to 52 for four after 10 overs. Athapaththu dismissed Ayesha Zafar, while Sadaf Shamas was stumped off Chamari Prabodhe.

Pakistan failed to accelerate through the middle overs, scoring only 31 runs between the 11th and 15th overs. Gull Feroza was then dismissed for 21 off 32 balls by Prabodhe.

Sana rescued Pakistan with an unbeaten 47 off 36 balls, hitting four fours and two sixes. She added 38 runs for the sixth wicket with Tuba Hassan as Pakistan finished on 130 for five in 20 overs.

Despite Sana’s impressive performance with both bat and ball, Pakistan could not prevent Sri Lanka from completing a four-wicket victory.

Sri Lanka also maintained their unbeaten run in the tournament and will now face India in the Asia Cup final for the third consecutive time.

-MT