Sri Lanka vs Pakistan Highlights, Women's Asia Cup 2024 Semi-Final: Skipper Chamari Athapaththu's diligent fifty propelled Sri Lanka to a thrilling three-wicket win over Pakistan in the second semifinal of the women's Asia Cup in Dambulla on Friday, setting up the title clash against India. In the first semifinal earlier, defending champions India had beaten Bangladesh by 10 wickets. The final will be played on Sunday. Athapaththu, who is the highest run-getter in the event with 223 runs, single-handedly guided the Lankans close to the target of 141, making a well-paced 63 off 48 balls. Her fifty and Anushka Sanjeevani's unbeaten 24 helped Lanka to reach 141 for 7 in 19.5 overs. Kalisha Dilhari (17, 18 balls) helped Athapaththu milk 61 runs for the third wicket that gave Lanka a firm hold on the match. Pakistan stayed in the fight through a brilliant spell by experienced left-arm spinner Sadia Iqbal (4/16 off 4 overs) but she did not have much support from the other end as the hosts stumbled across the line. (Scorecard)
SL vs PAK SF Highlights, Women's Asia Cup
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Right then, that's it from the 2nd semi-final. Sri Lanka Women has won this and they advance to the Final of the Women's Asia Cup T20. Sri Lanka Women will face India Women in the final on 28th July 2024 at 3 pm IST (9.30 am GMT). You can join us an hour early for all the build-up and updates from that game. Till then, Cheers and enjoy your time.
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The victorious skipper of Sri Lanka Women, Chamari Athapaththu is also the Player Of The Match. She says the game was very tight and they stuck to their plans. Mentions that she got out earlier than she should have but feels great that the girls finished the game well. Adds that they lost a couple of wickets early but they executed their plans well in the end. Says she has to lead from the front and she changed her batting style due to the fall of wickets early on and went for the big strokes when the finish line was in sight.
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The losing skipper of Pakistan Women, Nida Dar says she is heart broken to end up on the losing side but a lot of positives for her side from the tournament as they played a really good cricket here. Adds that they were 10-15 runs short with the bat but 140 was always a good score to defend but such things happen in cricket. Mentions that the youngster tried their best but they'll learn from this.
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Pakistan Women will feel hard done, their bowlers gave it their all but just couldn't get over the line. The extras and the poor fielding towards the end cost them the game. Also, one wonders why Nida Dar did not bowl her quota. A lot of things could have been different and the result could have been different but that is not the case and it is Lanka who entered the finals.
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It was hard work for them chasing what we thought was a competitive total. They lost two wickets early but it was the ever-reliable Chamari Athapaththu, who held fort at one end and kept fighting. She got support from Anushka Sanjeewani. The two got it down to around 20 needed in around 20 but Chamari Athapaththu fell. The Lankan lower order then crumbled under pressure, Anushka Sanjeewani though ensured, it was her side to get over the line.
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What an absolute humdinger of a game! Worthy of being called a semi-final. IN THE END, IT IS Sri Lanka Women WHO HAVE GONE THROUGH! it is a repeat of the last Asia Cup final. Kudos to Lanka who held their nerve and have come out on top.
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19.51Nida Dar to
Sri Lanka Women advance to the finals and it is all over for Pakistan Women. Tossed up on middle and leg, Anushka Sanjeewani lofts this towards long on for one to wrap the game up. Sri Lanka Women have won this by 3 wickets.
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19.51 wdNida Dar to
WIDE! OH NO! Nida Dar has bowled a wide. Full and wide down the leg, Achini Kulasuriya misses the sweep and the umpire stretches her arms. Scores are level and the Lankan dugout is loving it.
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2 needed off the last 2 now. It is still anybody's game. The wait continues and who'll join India in the final is yet to be decided...
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19.41Nida Dar to Achini Kulasuriya
Some sense prevailed. Achini Kulasuriya drives this to extra cover and takes one on this occassion.
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19.30Nida Dar to Achini Kulasuriya
Tossed up wide of off, Achini Kulasuriya goes for the adventurous reverse sweep and misses. What are you doing Achini Kulasuriya?
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3 needed still but off just 4 deliveries now. This is not for the faint-hearted people. Cricket at it's very best.
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19.2WNida Dar to Sugandika Kumari
OUT! CHOPPED ON! Is there another twist left in the tale of this game? Sugandika Kumari departs and this game has swung yet again. Tossed up wide of off, Sugandika Kumari goes for the sweep and gets an under edge back onto the stumps.
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19.10Nida Dar to Sugandika Kumari
A dot to start the final over.
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3 runs needed off the last 6 balls. This is what a semi-final should be like. Two teams fighting with all they got right till the end. Sri Lanka Women does have a foot in the final but Nida Dar will look to defend these runs and only a miraculous bowling from her could help her do that.
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18.61to Sugandika Kumari
Full and wide outside off, Sugandika Kumari sweeps this to deep mid-wicket for one.
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18.54to Sugandika Kumari
FOUR! THis may well have put the Pakistani hopes to bed. Fuller and wide of off, Sugandika Kumari slogs this but off the cue end rolling through the mid-wicket region and racing to the fence for four. It never looked like going away to the fence but it does.
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18.40to Sugandika Kumari
Slower and wide of off, Sugandika Kumari goes across and looks for the sweep but misses.
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18.41 wdto Sugandika Kumari
WIDE! Pressure is telling on the bowler. Nashra Sandhu darts a wide down the leg, Sugandika Kumari goes for the sweep and misses.