Sri Lanka hold their nerve to reach Asia Cup final

Sri Lanka came out on top in a thrilling low-scoring affair against Pakistan in the semi-final of the Women's Asia Cup 2026 at the Dubai International stadium on Friday to book a date in the final against India. 

Led by captain Chamari Athapaththu, the Sri Lankan bowlers displayed great discipline to keep Pakistan down to a modest total before a solid display of skill and composure saw Sri Lanka finish the chase with eight balls to spare.

Athapaththu won the toss and had no hesitation putting Pakistan in. Sugandika Kumari struck in just the second over to give Sri Lanka an early breakthrough and put pressure on the Pakistan batters. 

Shawal Zulfiqar and Gull Feroza were solid in response and appeared to be leading a Pakistan counter-attack when Athapaththu dismissed the former to break a promising partnership. The Sri Lankan skipper then struck another blow by dismissing Ayesha Zafar cheaply before Chamudi Praboda sent back Sadaf Shams as the defending champions got a stronghold on the match.

Pakistan captain Fatima Sana walked out in the middle to resurrect the Pakistan innings with Feroza keeping the scoreboard ticking at the other end. The 40-run stand was brought to an end by Chamudi Praboda as Feroza's 32-ball stay at the crease came to an end. 

Sana though continued her assertive approach to take Pakistan to 130/5 at the end of their 20 overs. The skipper remained unbeaten on 47 and gave her side a fighting chance in the semi-final. 

The captain led the charge with the ball as well dismissing her opposite number in her very first over. She then got rid of Sanjana Kavindi on the very next ball to give Pakistan a dream start with the ball.

Imesha Dulani did keep the scoreboard ticking for Sri Lanka but saw another partner depart in the sixth over as Sadia Iqbal dismissed Hasini Perera. The pressure eventually told on the opener as Umm-E-Hani got Pakistan's fourth wicket to put them in the ascendancy. 

With Sri Lanka under pressure, Harshitha Samarawickrama and Kavisha Dilhari put their hands up and stitched a 67-run partnership to put the pressure back on the Pakistan bowlers. The pair rotated the strike well and scored the occasional boundary to get the Sri Lankan chase back on track.

Just when it felt that the duo would run away with the game, skipper Sana came roaring back to dismiss the pair in a single over to give Pakistan a glimmer. 

But Nilakshi de Silva and Kaushani Nuthyanaga held their nerves to extinguish hopes of a late Pakistan fightback and take Sri Lanka home with eight balls to spare. 

The defending champions will now get a chance to defend their crown in the final on Sunday, September 13 as they take on India at the Dubai International stadium.

Picture courtesy: Asian Cricket Council