In a high-stakes <a href="https://cricket.international/aliya-riaz-faces-trolling-after-poor-fielding-for-pakistan-in-asian-games/" title="Aliya Riaz faces trolling after poor fielding for Pakistan in <a href="https://cricket.international/shafali-verma-hits-historic-t20i-ton-as-india-women-crush-bangladesh-by-114-runs-in-asian-games-semi-final/" title="Shafali Verma Hits Historic T20I Ton as India Women Crush Bangladesh by 114 Runs in Asian Games Semi-Final”>Asian Games“>Asian Games Women’s Cricket Competition 1st Semi-Final at Nisshin on September 20, 2026, Sri Lanka Women produced a sensational performance to outclass Pakistan Women by 8 wickets. The blockbuster fixture lived up to its billing as a classic clash, where momentum swung repeatedly before Sri Lanka’s explosive batting lineup comfortably sealed the victory with 13 balls to spare.
Pakistan Women faced an immediate setback right at the start of their innings when opener Gull Feroza was clean bowled by Sugandhika Kumari on the very first delivery of the match for a golden duck (0 off 1). Despite the early blow (1/1 in 0.1 overs), Shawaal Zulfiqar alongside Saira Jabeen stabilized the innings with a steady 34-run partnership. Saira played a brisk supporting hand, striking 17 runs off 14 balls with 3 boundaries, before falling caught by Samarawickrama off Chamari Athapaththu in the 6th over at 35/2.
What followed was a masterful recovery driven by Ayesha Zafar and Shawaal Zulfiqar, who forged a crucial 115-run third-wicket partnership. Ayesha was in devastating touch, smashing a quickfire 71 runs off just 40 deliveries, packed with 9 boundaries and 2 towering sixes. Shawaal played a composed anchor role, scoring a well-crafted 54 runs off 50 balls with 3 fours and 2 sixes.
Ayesha was eventually run out by the combined effort of Kavisha Dilhari and Chamudi Praboda in the 17th over with the scoreboard reading 150/3. Shawaal later fell caught by substitute R Sewwandi off Kawya Kavindi’s bowling at 164/4. Captain Fatima Sana added late fireworks with a punchy 20* off 12 balls (2 fours, 1 six), while Eyman Fatima chipped in with 5* off 3 balls. Pakistan finished their 20 overs at a formidable 177/4.
Among the Sri Lankan bowlers, Sugandhika Kumari (1/31), Chamari Athapaththu (1/30), and Kawya Kavindi (1/13) picked up a wicket each, while Mithali Ayodhya (0/15), Chamudi Praboda (0/37), Kavisha Dilhari (0/38), and Hansima Karunaratne (0/11) went wicketless.
Chasing a target of 178, Sri Lanka Women began their response with positive Intent. Openers Imesha Dulani and skipper Chamari Athapaththu put together a solid 36-run opening stand in 4.4 overs before Fatima Sana made the initial breakthrough by rattling Imesha’s stumps for 27 off 21 balls (5 fours). Joined by Hasini Perera, Athapaththu then took complete control of the match, assembling a game-changing 95-run partnership for the second wicket.
Hasini played a blistering knock of 42 off 26 balls with 3 fours and 3 sixes before being caught by Umm-e-Hani off Nashra Sandhu’s bowling at 131/2 in the 14th over. With victory in sight, Chamari Athapaththu remained unstoppable, anchoring the remaining chase effortlessly alongside Harshitha Samarawickrama. Athapaththu smashed an unbeaten 83 off just 50 deliveries, laced with 7 fours and 6 huge sixes, while Harshitha provided final touches with an unbeaten 17 off 12 balls (2 fours).
Together, they added an unbeaten 47-run stand to take Sri Lanka across the finish line at 178/2 in 17.5 overs. Pakistan’s bowling attack struggled to keep the scoring rate in check, with Fatima Sana (1/24) and Nashra Sandhu (1/38) being the only wicket-takers. Umm-e-Hani (0/34), Momina Riasat (0/31), Tuba Hassan (0/38), and Ayesha Zafar (0/11) went wicketless as Sri Lanka marched into the finals in style.
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Source: femalecricket.com
