Sri Lanka face Pakistan in Asia Cup semis today

Sri Lanka will take on Pakistan in the ACC Women’s Asia Cup T20 Cricket Tournament second semi-final at the Dambulla Stadium today, commencing at 7.00 p.m. 

Before that, the first semi-final of the tournament between the defending champions India and Bangladesh will commence at the same venue at 2.00 p.m.  

Sri Lanka will head into the semi-finals having won 12 out of 15 T20Is this year. Like India, they have remained undefeated in this tournament and have posted convincing victories in the last seven months with contributions from several players. 

Considering their home advantage and form, Sri Lanka will be tough to get past in their bid for a maiden Asia Cup title.

Meanwhile, Pakistan have found it hard to find their rhythm in 2024. Having played 11 matches since January, they only have wins against Nepal, UAE and the West Indies (once) while falling short - several times by big margins - against India, England and West Indies (four times). 

However, they will take some confidence from the 10-wicket victory against the UAE, where their spinners and openers shone the brightest.

Chamari Atapattu will undoubtedly be Sri Lanka’s key player in any knock-out game. But 2024 has been her young opening partner Vishmi Gunaratne’s year. 

The 18-year-old has looked sorted in her stroke play, having scored 415 runs in 15 matches at an average of 37.72. She has hit 39 not out, one and 51 in the competition so far and Sri Lanka will be relying on another solid start from the duo.

For Pakistan, too, a lot can be accomplished at the top, with opener Gull Feroza proving a vital cog with Muneeba Ali. Feroza made her debut against Sri Lanka in May 2022 but was dropped in the next series. 

She made her comeback against the West Indies this April and has found her touch in the Asia Cup. She is coming off back-to-back half centuries, scored at strike rates of 162.85 and 112.72. Sri Lanka’s big challenge will be to keep these openers quiet. (Agencies)