Sri Lanka Seal Asia Cup Final: defending champs stun Pakistan after 33/4; India rematch awaits

By Army jaat

**SL Fight Back to Reach India Final 🏏** What a comeback under pressure! Defending champions **Sri Lanka** chased down 131 to beat **Pakistan** by 4 wkts and seal a repeat final vs **India** in the Women's Asia Cup. Pakistan batted first and posted a modest 130/5. A shaky start (52/4) was rescued by captain **Fatima Sana**'s unbeaten 47 (36 ball), with **Shawaal Zulfiqar** (24) and **Gull Feroza** (21) giving early spark. But SL's bowlers struck—**Chamari Athapaththu** and **Chamudi Praboda** 2 each, **Sugandika Kumari** 1. The chase looked doomed at 33/4 after 7 overs, with **Athapaththu** and **Sanjana Kavindi** falling in the 2nd over alone. Then **Harshitha Samarawickrama** (36) and **Kavisha Dilhari** (33) produced a brilliant 67-run 5th-wkt stand, rotating strike and absorbing all the pressure. Fatima hit back in the 17th, removing both in successive balls to leave SL at 109/6 needing 22 off 3 overs—but **Nilakshika Silva** (18*) and **Kaushani Nuthyangana** (10*) held their nerve to finish 8 balls to spare. SL 131/6. Fatima was Player of the Match with 4/38 and an unbeaten 47, but credit goes to the SL middle order. "That partnership was match winning," said Athapaththu. Now SL face India in the final on Sunday—chasing a record 8th crown, while SL look to defend their 2024 title (they beat India by 8 wkts last time). 💪 Source: Times of India