Women’s Asia Cup: Sri Lanka battle back from 33/4 to beat Pakistan by 4 wickets, established India last
BRAND-NEW DELHI: Defending champs Sri Lanka produced an impressive fightback under pressure to beat Pakistan by 4 wickets and book their location in the Women’s Asia Cup last, where they will deal with India in a repeat of the 2024 top clash.Chasing 131 at the Dubai International Stadium on Friday, Sri Lanka plunged to 33/4 inside 7 overs before Harshitha Samarawickrama and Kavisha Dilhari introduced a stirring healing. The set included 67 runs for the 5th wicket to bring Sri Lanka within touching range of triumph.Pakistan captain Fatima Sana briefly reignited her side’s hopes by dismissing both batters in the 17th over, leaving Sri Lanka at 109/6 and still requiring 22 runs from the last 3 overs. But Nilakshika Silva and Kaushani Nuthyangana held their nerve to end up the chase with 8 balls to spare.Sri Lanka reached 131/6 in 18.4 overs, with Nilakshika unbeaten on 18 off 10 balls and Nuthyangana 10 not out from 4 shipments.
Harshitha, Dilhari rescue Sri Lanka
Pakistan had actually made a competitive 130/5 after being asked to bat initially. They too had actually sustained a tough start, slipping to 52/4 inside 10 overs before Fatima Sana’s unbeaten 47 off 36 balls assisted restore the innings.Shawaal Zulfiqar offered early momentum with a 24 off 16 balls, while Gull Feroza made 21. But Sri Lanka’s bowlers kept Pakistan under pressure, with Chamari Athapaththu and Chamudi Praboda taking 2 wickets each and Sugandika Kumari declaring one.Sri Lanka’s chase then seemed heading towards difficulty when Fatima eliminated Athapaththu and Sanjana Kavindi with succeeding shipments in the 2nd over. Hasini Perera and Imesha Dulani likewise fell rapidly, leaving the safeguarding champs 4 down.Harshitha and Dilhari altered the skin of the chase with their 67-run stand. Harshitha made 36 from 31 balls, while Dilhari scored 33 off 33, consistently discovering songs and turning the strike to take in the pressure.“The method Harshitha and Kavisha batted, it’s fantastic. They taken in the pressure, they took songs and played truly great. Under pressure, that collaboration was match winning,” Sri Lanka captain Athapaththu stated after the video game.Fatima, who was called Player of the Match for her 4/38 and unbeaten 47, struck once again to eliminate both set batters. But Pakistan might not liquidate the video game.“Most of the important things worked out, however the last bit, (the) Sri Lankan middle order took the video game away,” Fatima stated. “I believe the method Harshitha and Kavisha played … They are great in (taking) songs. So credit goes to them.”
Repeat of 2024 last waits for
The triumph takes Sri Lanka into their 3rd successive Women’s Asia Cup last. They will when again face India, who beat Bangladesh by 40 runs in their semi-final and have actually stayed unbeaten in the competition.Sri Lanka beat India by 8 wickets in the 2024 last to declare their maiden Asia Cup title. India, on the other hand, will be chasing after a record-extending 8th crown when the 2 sides satisfy on Sunday.Athapaththu thinks Sri Lanka have sufficient depth to obstacle India once again.“We have great finishers like Harshitha, Nilakshika,Kavisha Most of the gamers are playing truly great, even the bowling system. So we have great gamers. So if we can perform our strategies in the last, I believe we can beat any group,” she stated.For Pakistan, the defeat ended their project after an irregular competition, while Sri Lanka’s capability to recuperate from 33/4 when again highlighted the durability that has actually taken them back to the Asia Cup last.
