The experienced Chamari Athapaththu led from the front with a brisk 48-ball, 63 as Sri Lanka sealed a thrilling win over Pakistan off the penultimate ball in Dambulla, to clinch a spot in the final of the women’s Asia Cup 2024. Sri Lanka surpassed the competitive total of 140, having lost 7 wickets.
At one point, Sri Lanka were in a spot of bother, at 78 for 4 in the 12th over. At that juncture, Athapaththu and Anushka Sanjeewani shared a crucial stand of 42 to bring the side closer to victory. Athapaththu showed her class and quality by picking Syeda Aroob Shah’s variations and collected a few boundaries. In the 15th over, the Sri Lanka skipper and Sanjeewani also cracked three boundaries off Fatima Sana to put the pressure right back on Pakistan.
The hosts then suffered a min-collapse, sliding to 123 for 6, with Athapaththu turning out to be one of those wickets. Sanjeewani, though, held her nerve to steer the side home. She also scored the winning run. And that was followed by the Sri Lankan players storming on to the field to hug Sanjeewani and Achini Kulasuriya. For Pakistan, Sadia Iqbal, the left-arm spinner, took a four-for.
Earlier, Muneeba Ali (37), Gull Feroza (25), Nida Dar and Sana had crossed the 20-run mark. Muneeba essayed five boundaries in her innings, while Feroza and Sana stroked three fours each. Meanwhile, the experienced left-armer, Udeshika Prabodhani, and Kavisha Dilhari took two wickets apiece.
India, the firm favourites, will take on Sri Lanka in the final in Dambulla on July 28. India have won the title as many as seven times, with Sri Lanka yet to hoist the trophy.