Pakistan’s Asia Cup Journey Ends as Sri Lanka Seal Four-Wicket Win in 2nd Semifinal
DUBAI: Sri Lanka produced a strong comeback with the bat to defeat Pakistan by four wickets in the second semi-final of the ACC Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2026 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Friday.
The defending champions will now face India in the final at the same venue on Sunday as they continue their title defence.
Chasing 131, Sri Lanka were in serious trouble early in the innings after losing four wickets for only 33 runs inside the first seven overs. However, Harshitha Samarawickrama and Kavisha Dilhari turned the contest around with a crucial 67-run stand for the fifth wicket.
Their partnership took Sri Lanka beyond the 100-run mark in the 16th over and put them firmly back in control.
Pakistan captain Fatima Sana eventually broke the partnership in the 17th over, dismissing both batters in the same over. Sri Lanka were reduced to 109/6, leaving Pakistan with another opening to fight their way back into the game.
Samarawickrama top-scored with a composed 36 from 31 balls, including two fours, while Dilhari contributed 33 off 33 deliveries with four boundaries.
With Sri Lanka needing 22 runs from the final three overs, Nilakshika Silva and Kaushini Nuthyangana launched a stunning late assault. The pair added an unbeaten 34 from just 10 balls to finish the chase in style, with the winning runs coming on the fourth delivery of the 19th over.
Silva smashed an unbeaten 18 from 10 balls, hitting three fours, while Nuthyangana finished on 10 not out from only four deliveries, including a six.
Fatima Sana was Pakistan’s leading wicket-taker, claiming four wickets for 38 runs in 3.4 overs. Sadia Iqbal and Umm-e-Hani took one wicket each.
Earlier, Pakistan posted 130/5 after being asked to bat first, with Fatima providing the late impetus through an unbeaten 47.
Pakistan’s innings began poorly as Muneeba Ali was dismissed for two in the second over, leaving the side at just five runs.
Shawaal Zulfiqar briefly shifted the momentum with an aggressive 24 from 16 balls, hitting four boundaries, including two sixes. Her innings ended when she was dismissed by Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu, with Pakistan 29/2 after 4.4 overs.
Gull Feroza then attempted to rebuild the innings. She put on partnerships with Ayesha Zafar and Sadaf Shamas, although neither partnership produced a substantial contribution, with Ayesha scoring seven and Sadaf making eight.
Fatima joined Feroza and the pair added 40 runs for the fifth wicket before the partnership ended in the final ball of the 16th over when Feroza was dismissed for a patient 21 off 32 balls.
Fatima remained unbeaten and accelerated towards the end, finishing with 47 from 36 deliveries, including four fours and two sixes. Tuba Hassan provided valuable support with an unbeaten 12 off 10 balls as Pakistan reached 130/5 from their 20 overs.
Chamudi Praboda and Athapaththu were Sri Lanka’s most successful bowlers with two wickets apiece, while Sugandika Kumari claimed one.
