Sri Lanka edge Pakistan in thriller semi

Sri Lanka pulled off a stunning one-run win over Pakistan in the semi-final of the Women’s Asia Cup in Sylhet yesterday, booking a place in the title-decider for the first time since the tournament shifted to T20 format.

Pakistan Women in their run chase of 123, needed nine off the final over, with Nida Dar set well enough on 21 off 22 balls, to take her team to victory.

Pakistan needed four off the final two balls, and Sri Lanka appeared to have allowed the game to slip away, when keeper Sanjeewani missed an easy run out opportunity – a single leaving Pakistan needing three of the last ball.

Dar targeted the vacant outfield on the off-side – where Sri Lanka were allowed only three fielders following an over rate infringement – and despite being dropped at extra-cover could not return in time for a game-tying single.

Credit is due to Sri Lanka Women’s spin trio spearheaded by Inoka Ranaweera, Sugandika Kumara and Kavisha Dilhara, who kept the Pakistan Women in check, after sitting pretty on 65 for 3 at the halfway stage of the innings.

A fifth-wicket partnership of 42 between Bismah Maroof and Dar kept Pakistan in the game, and left Pakistan needing 16 off 16 when Maroof was bowled by Sugandika Kumari in the 18th over.

Ayesha Naseem, who took the game away from Sri Lanka in their final group stage fixture, was dismissed by Inoka Ranaweera in the penultimate over, but Dar’s presence meant Pakistan were still in charge of the chase.

Earlier in the innings, Sri Lanka Women skipper Chamari Atapattu won the toss and elected to take first lease of the wicket, and her team were badly placed on 89 for 3 in the 16th over.

But useful knocks later in the innings, helped Sri Lanka push to 122 for 6 at the end of their 20 overs.

In the other semi-final, India Women coasted to a 74-run win against Thailand Women.

Sri Lanka Women and India Women will clash in the final scheduled to be played tomorrow at the same venue.

Results:
At Sylhet – Sri Lanka Women won by one run
Sri Lanka Women 122 for 6 in 20 overs (Harshitha Samarawickrama 35, Anushka Sanjeewani 26: Nashra Sandhu 3 for 17)
Pakistan Women 121 for 6 in 20 overs (Bismah Maroof 42, Nida Dar 26, Muneeba Ali 18: Inoka Ranaweera 2 for 17)