Pakistan scored 140/4 in 20 overs, where as Sri Lanka scored 141/7 in 19.5 overs.
So, finally Sri Lanka beat Pakistan by 3 wickets.
A measured half-century from skipper Chamari Athapaththu was instrumental in Sri Lanka’s thrilling win over Pakistan in the second semifinal of the Women’s Asia Cup.
Sri Lanka managed to chase down 141 with just one ball to spare, setting up a final against India.
The difference:
Sri Lanka’s approach in the middle overs made the difference in the end.
While Pakistan lost their way in that phase after a strong start, Sri Lanka overcame a jittery start and scored enough to eventually help them past the finish line despite losing wickets at the death.
Pakistan
Powerplay: Openers lay the ideal platform
Phase Score: 45/0 [RR: 7.5, 4s/6s: 6/0]
Despite scoring just six runs from the opening two overs, Pakistan ensured the powerplay belonged to them.
Gull Feroza found the boundary thrice in the third over to get Pakistan’s innings rolling, and Muneeba Ali hit consecutive boundaries off Athapaththu in the following over.
Eventually, Pakistan made 45 in the powerplay, laying the ideal platform.
Middle overs: Sri Lanka hit back
Phase Score: 55/4 [RR: 6.1, 4s/6s: 4/1]
That strong start was pretty much nullified by Sri Lanka around the halfway mark as Udeshika Prabodhani returned to the attack to break the opening stand.
She dismissed both well-set openers in the same over, stunning the batting side.
After a brief recovery, Pakistan lost two wickets in one over again as Kavisha Dilhari struck twice.
Death overs: The pendulum swings again
Phase Score: 40/0 [RR: 8, 4s/6s: 3/1]
Fatima Sana and Aliya Riaz joined forces after the double-wicket over.
Despite playing it safe in the 16th over, they quickly realized that runs were needed with just four overs remaining.
Fatima found the boundary thrice in the final few overs, while Aliya cleared the ropes once to ensure Pakistan posted a fighting 140 on the board.
Sri Lanka
Powerplay: Pakistan draw first blood
Phase Score: 35/2 [RR: 5.83, 4s/6s: 4/0]
In contrast to Pakistan’s start, Sri Lanka were pegged back very early in the run chase as Vishmi Gunaratne was trapped lbw for a duck in the opening over.
Even though Harshitha Madavi fetched a couple of fours in the second over, she was sent packing for just 12.
The onus was once again on Athapaththu to steer the Lankan innings after that start.
Middle overs: Chamari takes charge
Phase Score: 71/2 [RR: 7.88, 4s/6s: 10/1]
After a brief period of consolidation, Athapaththu was on the move, finding the boundary regularly around the halfway mark to drag the score to 69.
Even though Sadia Iqbal hurt Sri Lanka with two wickets in the space of three deliveries, Athapaththu’s presence at the crease kept Sri Lanka in the game.
The captain hit a couple of boundaries to round off this phase, raising her half-century and bringing the equation down to 35 off 30.
Death overs: The thrilling finish
Phase Score: 35/3 [RR: 7.24, 4s/6s: 3/1]
A slog sweep from Athapaththu that went over the deep midwicket fence put Sri Lanka in the driver’s seat, bringing the equation down to 28 from 26.
She also hit a boundary in the following over to drag her side closer before Pakistan staged a commendable fightback.
The skipper missed an attempt to reverse sweep and got bowled, and in the following over, a run-out gave Pakistan a lifeline.
However, under pressure in the penultimate over, Sugandika Kumari struck a couple of crucial boundaries to make it 3 off 6.
Nida Dar did her best to drag it to the end by kickstarting the final over with a dot ball followed by a wicket, but Sri Lanka managed to get the job done.
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