India to face Sri Lanka in Women’s Asia Cup final after Pakistan crash out
India and Sri Lanka Set for Women’s Asia Cup Final Rematch
Bharatmorningnews.com – India and Sri Lanka will meet in Sunday’s Women’s Asia Cup final, recreating the championship match from the previous edition. Sri Lanka reached the title contest after overcoming Pakistan by four wickets in a tense second semi-final at Dubai International Stadium on Friday.
The result gives Chamari Athapaththu’s team an opportunity to retain the trophy, while India will look to win back the Asian title they surrendered in the last final. India secured their place earlier in the day with a 40-run victory over Bangladesh.
Sri Lanka Recover From Early Trouble
Sri Lanka were chasing 131 and immediately found themselves under severe pressure. Pakistan captain Fatima Sana struck twice in the second over, removing Athapaththu for 5 and Sanjana Kavindi for a first-ball duck. Further wickets from Umm-e-Hani and Sadia Iqbal left Sri Lanka struggling at 33 for 4.
Harshitha Samarawickrama and Kavisha Dilhari then changed the momentum through a measured fifth-wicket partnership. They added 67 runs, balancing careful shot selection with timely attacking strokes to bring their side back into contention.
Pakistan regained hope in the 17th over when Sana dismissed both established batters. Samarawickrama made 36 and Dilhari contributed 33, leaving Sri Lanka needing 22 from the remaining 18 balls with four wickets still available.
The contest swung once more in the closing stages. Kaushani Nuthyangana and Nilakshika Silva attacked Iqbal and Sana in the final overs, taking Sri Lanka past the target with eight deliveries unused. A no-ball in the penultimate over proved particularly damaging for Pakistan as their grip on the match slipped away.
Sana’s Unbeaten 47 Lifts Pakistan
Earlier, Sri Lanka had won the toss and chosen to field. Their bowlers controlled the opening half of Pakistan’s innings, reducing the batting side to 52 for 4 after ten overs.
Athapaththu made an early impact with the ball, claiming the wickets of Shawaal Zulfiqar, who scored 24, and Ayesha Zafar, who made 7. Pakistan’s recovery was led by Sana and Gull Feroza, who put together 40 runs for the fifth wicket.
Feroza was dismissed for 21 before Pakistan could accelerate fully, but Sana stayed at the crease until the end. Her unbeaten 47 included four boundaries and two sixes, helping Pakistan finish on 130 for 5 from their 20 overs.
That total gave Pakistan something to defend, and their bowlers appeared to have created the opening needed when Sri Lanka’s top order collapsed. Yet Sri Lanka’s middle order absorbed the pressure before their lower-order batters completed a nerveless finish.
A Final With Recent History
The upcoming final carries added significance because the two sides have recent title-match history. Sri Lanka’s success in the previous edition ended India’s hold on the competition, and Sunday provides India with a chance to respond on the biggest stage of the tournament.
For Sri Lanka, the semi-final victory showed resilience as much as skill. After losing four early wickets, they rebuilt their chase through Samarawickrama and Dilhari before finding another burst of scoring when the target was within reach. Their ability to recover from a difficult position could be vital in the final.
India arrive after a convincing win over Bangladesh, while Sri Lanka come in having survived a contest that shifted repeatedly. The final will therefore bring together a side that progressed with authority and a defending champion that demonstrated composure under pressure.
With the Women’s Asia Cup trophy at stake, both teams will have clear motivation. India can reclaim a championship they narrowly missed last time, while Sri Lanka can reinforce their status as the current holders by successfully defending their crown.
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