Fatima Sana's Heroics in Vain as Sri Lanka Reach Women's Asia Cup Final
Fatima Sana's unbeaten 47 and four wickets were not enough as defending champions Sri Lanka defeated Pakistan by four wickets to reach the Women's Asia Cup final.
Fatima Sana delivered an impressive all-round performance, but Sri Lanka held their nerve to defeat Pakistan by four wickets in the Women's Asia Cup semi-final and book a place in the final. The defending champions will now face India in a repeat of the 2024 title clash on Sunday.
Pakistan appeared to be in control while defending 131 after reducing Sri Lanka to 33/4 in the seventh over. Harshitha Samarawickrama and Kavisha Dilhari then revived the chase with a 67-run partnership. Samarawickrama scored 36 off 31 balls, while Dilhari made 33 from 33 deliveries.
Fatima Sana struck back by dismissing both batters in the same over, leaving Sri Lanka at 109/6 and needing 22 runs from the final three overs. However, Nilakshika Silva and Kaushini Nuthyangana kept their composure, remaining unbeaten on 13 and 14 respectively to take Sri Lanka home with eight balls remaining.
Earlier, Pakistan had struggled to 52/4 before Sana produced a crucial unbeaten 47 off 36 balls to lift the total to 130/5. She then claimed four wickets, but her efforts could not prevent Pakistan's elimination.
Sri Lanka will now meet unbeaten India, who defeated Bangladesh by 40 runs in their semi-final. India are chasing a record-extending eighth Women's Asia Cup title, while Sri Lanka will aim to retain the trophy they won in 2024.
