India and Sri Lanka set for Women’s Asia Cup final showdown
Bharatmorning.com – India and Sri Lanka will meet in Sunday’s Women’s Asia Cup final, renewing the rivalry from the previous edition’s title match. Sri Lanka reached the Dubai International Stadium decider after overcoming Pakistan by four wickets in a tense second semi-final on Friday.
The result gives Sri Lanka an opportunity to retain the trophy, while India will seek to regain the crown after missing out in the last final. India had earlier sealed their place in the championship match with a 40-run victory over Bangladesh in the first semi-final.
Sri Lanka recover from early Pakistan strike
Sri Lanka’s chase of 131 began in alarming fashion. Pakistan captain Fatima Sana struck twice in the second over, removing Sri Lanka skipper Chamari Athapaththu for five and Sanjana Kavindi for a first-ball duck. Pakistan continued to build pressure through Umm-e-Hani and Sadia Iqbal, leaving Sri Lanka struggling at 33 for four.
At that stage, Pakistan appeared firmly in control of a modest target. The Sri Lankan innings, however, was revived by Harshitha Samarawickrama and Kavisha Dilhari, who combined sensible shot selection with timely aggression. Their fifth-wicket partnership added 67 runs and shifted the momentum of the contest.
Samarawickrama made 36 and Dilhari contributed 33, putting Sri Lanka in a stronger position before Pakistan found a route back into the game. Sana removed both established batters during the 17th over, turning the chase into another close finish. Sri Lanka still needed 22 from the final 18 deliveries and had four wickets remaining.
The balance changed again in the closing stages. Kaushani Nuthyangana and Nilakshika Silva attacked Iqbal and Sana over the final two overs, taking Sri Lanka beyond Pakistan’s total with eight balls unused. A no-ball in the penultimate over proved particularly damaging for Pakistan as the pressure of the finish intensified.
Sana’s unbeaten innings lifts Pakistan to 130
Earlier, Sri Lanka chose to field after winning the toss and made a strong start with the ball. Pakistan lost four wickets in the first 10 overs and were placed at 52 for four, with Athapaththu making important breakthroughs.
The Sri Lanka captain dismissed Shawaal Zulfiqar for 24 and Ayesha Zafar for seven, helping restrict Pakistan’s top order. Pakistan needed a recovery, and Sana joined Gull Feroza in a fifth-wicket stand worth 40 runs.
Feroza scored 21 before falling while trying to increase the scoring rate. Sana, though, stayed at the crease and ensured Pakistan reached a competitive total. Her unbeaten 47 included four boundaries and two sixes, lifting Pakistan to 130 for five from 20 overs.
Her all-round contribution kept Pakistan in contention throughout the semi-final. With the ball, she supplied the early wickets that put Sri Lanka under immediate pressure; with the bat, she had been central to Pakistan’s recovery after their difficult opening half.
A final shaped by contrasting journeys
The final now brings together two teams that earned their places through different kinds of semi-final performances. India’s win over Bangladesh was secured by a 40-run margin, while Sri Lanka had to withstand several momentum swings against Pakistan before completing a hard-fought chase.
For Sri Lanka, the victory demonstrated their ability to recover after a top-order collapse. Their middle-order partnership between Samarawickrama and Dilhari provided the foundation, while the lower order showed composure when the match tightened late in the innings.
India, meanwhile, enter the final knowing they will face the defending champions rather than Pakistan. The meeting also carries the added significance of repeating the previous Women’s Asia Cup final, with Sri Lanka looking to extend their hold on the title and India attempting to reverse the result from the last edition.
Sunday’s contest will therefore offer more than a trophy opportunity. It will test India’s bid to reclaim regional supremacy and Sri Lanka’s capacity to defend their title under the pressure of another major final. After Pakistan’s spirited but ultimately unsuccessful semi-final effort, the tournament will conclude with its two remaining sides competing for the Women’s Asia Cup.
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