The Sri Lankan women’s cricket team pulled off a heart-stopping three-wicket victory over Pakistan, securing their place in the final of the Women’s Asia Cup 2024. The thrilling encounter took place on Friday, July 26, at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, culminating in a match that went down to the wire with Sri Lanka chasing a challenging target of 141 runs, ultimately clinching victory with just one ball remaining. This win sets up an exciting finale against traditional rivals India, who have also made their way to the final.
Sri Lanka’s chase was spearheaded by their skipper Chamari Athapaththu, who once again displayed her formidable batting prowess. Athapaththu’s match-winning fifty proved to be the backbone of the chase, as she anchored the innings superbly, despite the team struggling for consistency throughout their pursuit of the target. Athapaththu’s calm and composed innings came at a critical juncture, ensuring that her side remained in contention even as wickets tumbled at the other end.
Pakistan, having elected to bat first, managed to post a competitive total of 140 runs in their allotted 20 overs. The innings was highlighted by opener Muneeba Ali’s solid knock of 37 runs, which set the foundation for a respectable total. However, the rest of the batting lineup found it hard to build on this start, as the Sri Lankan bowlers put in a disciplined performance to restrict the scoring. Significant contributions also came from Omaima Sohail and Aliya Riaz, who chipped in with useful runs under pressure.
For Pakistan, the innings started positively with Muneeba Ali and Sidra Ameen setting the platform with an opening partnership. However, the Sri Lankan bowlers struck back with timely wickets to stem the flow of runs. Inoshi Priyadharshani and Sugandika Kumari were instrumental in applying the brakes on the Pakistani batting, picking up crucial wickets at vital moments. Kumari, in particular, was impressive with her economical spells, making scoring difficult for the Pakistani batters.
Sri Lanka began their chase with a positive approach, but early wickets caused some nervous moments. Vishmi Gunaratne and Harshitha Samarawickrama fell cheaply, leaving much of the responsibility on the shoulders of skipper Athapaththu.
. She found a reliable partner in Hasini Perera, with the pair stitching together a meaningful partnership that kept the scoreboard ticking. Anushka Sanjeewani also played a crucial role with a steady knock, ensuring that the required run rate never got out of hand.
As the match entered the final stages, the tension mounted. A late flurry of wickets gave Pakistan a glimmer of hope, with the Sri Lankan middle-order wobbling under pressure. Pakistan captain Nida Dar led from the front with a spirited bowling performance, backed up by tight spells from Fatima Sana and Tuba Hassan. The bowlers managed to keep the match alive until the very last over, but a composed finish from the Sri Lankan lower order sealed the deal in dramatic fashion.
The thrilling encounter was a testament to the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket, where fortunes can swing in a matter of deliveries. Both teams displayed tremendous skill and tenacity, but it was Sri Lanka who held their nerve to emerge victorious. This win not only highlights the growing competitiveness of women’s cricket in the region but also sets the stage for a highly anticipated final against India.
With this win, Sri Lanka has shown that they are a force to be reckoned with in the Women’s Asia Cup. The final against India promises to be an electrifying contest, with both teams having shown exceptional form throughout the tournament. As the cricketing world turns its attention to this marquee clash, fans can expect another exhilarating chapter in the storied rivalry between these two cricketing nations.
The playing XIs for both sides were as follows:
Pakistan Women Playing XI: Gull Feroza, Muneeba Ali (wk), Sidra Ameen, Omaima Sohail, Nida Dar (c), Aliya Riaz, Fatima Sana, Syeda Aroob Shah, Tuba Hassan, Nashra Sandhu, Sadia Iqbal.
Sri Lanka Women Playing XI: Vishmi Gunaratne, Chamari Athapaththu (c), Harshitha Samarawickrama, Hasini Perera, Anushka Sanjeewani (wk), Kavisha Dilhari, Nilakshi de Silva, Inoshi Priyadharshani, Udeshika Prabodhani, Sugandika Kumari, Achini Kulasuriya.
As the anticipation builds for the grand finale, the cricketing fraternity eagerly awaits what promises to be a fitting conclusion to a thrilling tournament. Stay tuned for more updates and coverage of the Women’s Asia Cup 2024.
