Sri Lanka defeated Pakistan by one run on Thursday at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium (SICS) in the second semifinal of the Women's Asia Cup, setting up a matchup with India in the multi-nation competition's final on Saturday.
Nida Dar was run out while attempting to take a second run as Pakistan managed to make 121/6 in their 20 overs, coming just one run short of Sri Lanka's 122/6 in 20 overs. Pakistan needed nine runs to win from the last over, which became three runs off the final ball.
Despite captain Chamari Athapaththu falling for ten runs early in the innings after choosing to bat first, other batters came through when it counted. Harshitha Madavi (35 off 41 balls, 1 four) and Nilakshi de Silva (14 off 27 balls) put together a 50-run partnership for the third wicket.
Along with the pair, Anushka Sanjeewani, the opener, scored 26 runs off 21 balls, including one four and one six. For Pakistan, right-arm fast bowler Aiman Anwer, left-arm spinner Sadia Iqbal, and spinner Nida Dar each claimed one wicket while left-arm spinner Nashra Sandhu recorded scores of 3/17.
Muneeba Ali and Sidra Amin, Pakistan's opening pair, had a 31-run partnership while chasing 123 until the former was run out on the first ball of the fourth over. Sidra was joined by captain Bismah Maroof, and the two added a 16-run partnership for the second wicket. However, on the final delivery of the seventh over, while hitting a reverse sweep off Inoka Ranaweera, Sidra threw a catch to a diving short third man.
After losing Omaima Sohail in the eleventh over, Pakistan was in trouble. However, Bismah and Nida partnered up for a 42-run stand for the fourth wicket. When Bismah was castled for 42 off 41 balls, laced with four fours, she was in fine form and leading the team's pursuit.
With Bismah out of the game, Sri Lanka had a chance to win the match. They did make the most of that opportunity and kept Pakistan to 121/6. Nida scored one four and made a run-a-ball 26, but her team was unable to advance to the Women's Asia Cup final. Inoka scored 2/17 for Sri Lanka, while Sugandika Kumari and Kavisha Dilhari each claimed a victory as the team made its 14th consecutive appearance in the Women's Asia Cup final.
Brief Scores: Sri Lanka 122/6 in 20 overs (Harshitha Madavi 35, Anushka Sanjeewani 26; Nashra Sandhu 3/17) beat Pakistan 121/6 in 20 overs (Bismah Maroof 42, Nida Dar 26; Inoka Ranaweera 2/17) by one run