Sri Lanka knock Pakistan out, set Asia Cup final with India

Kavisha Dilhari and Harshitha Samarawickrama steadied the innings with a crucial partnership before Nilakshika Silva and Kaushini Nuthyangana provided the late acceleration that carried Sri Lanka over the line. Silva finished unbeaten on 18 from just ten balls, striking three fours, while Nuthyangana smashed an unbeaten ten from four balls, including a six, to end the contest emphatically.

The victory came despite a superb individual performance from Pakistan captain Fatima Sana, who was named Player of the Match after making an unbeaten 47 from 36 balls and taking four wickets. Sana walked in with Pakistan under pressure at 52 for four and transformed the innings with an aggressive late charge.

Her 47 contained four fours and two sixes, helping Pakistan add valuable runs during the closing overs. Tuba Hassan supported her captain with an unbeaten 12 from ten balls as Pakistan reached 130 for five.

Sri Lanka's bowlers had initially kept Pakistan on the back foot. Chamari Athapaththu and Chamudi Praboda claimed two wickets each, while Sugandika Kumari took one. Pakistan's top order struggled to build momentum after losing Muneeba Ali for two and Shawaal Zulfiqar for 24.

Gull Feroza made 21 from 32 balls, but Pakistan were unable to produce a substantial partnership until Sana's late innings surge. Sri Lanka's chase began badly. Captain Athapaththu was dismissed for five in the second over by Sana, and Sanjana Kavindi fell for a first-ball duck moments later.

Hasini Perera and Imesha Dulani then departed as Sri Lanka slipped to 33 for four. With the chase threatening to unravel, Samarawickrama and Dilhari took control. The pair added 67 runs for the fifth wicket, patiently rebuilding the innings before accelerating as the target came into view.

Samarawickrama made 36 from 31 balls, while Dilhari scored 33 from 33, striking four boundaries. Sana briefly gave Pakistan hope by removing both batters in the space of six deliveries. Dilhari was trapped lbw for 33, while Samarawickrama was caught for 36, leaving Sri Lanka at 109 for six after 16.6 overs.

But the match swung decisively in Sri Lanka's favour in the final overs. Silva attacked immediately, and Nuthyangana joined her at the crease with Sri Lanka needing 22 runs from 19 balls. The pair finished the chase without further damage, scoring the required runs with eight deliveries remaining.

Sana ended with four wickets for 38 runs from 3.4 overs, but her expensive final spell could not prevent Sri Lanka from completing the chase. Pakistan had earlier struggled to convert promising starts into a commanding total.

Their 130 for five left Sri Lanka needing 6.55 runs per over, a target that initially looked competitive after the early collapse. Instead, Sri Lanka's middle order absorbed the pressure before their lower order finished the job.