In a thrilling semifinal match at the 2026 held at Korogi Sports Park, the Sri Lankan women’s cricket team outperformed Pakistan, clinching an 8-wicket victory and securing their place in the final.
Captain Chamari Athapaththu shone as the star of the match.
Winning the toss, opted to bowl first. Pakistan batted for 20 overs, scoring 177 runs while losing four wickets. Opening batswoman Shaval Zulfiqar contributed significantly with 54 runs off 50 balls, including two sixes and three fours. Ayesha Jafar, batting at number four, delivered a spectacular performance, scoring 71 runs off 40 balls before being run out. Her innings featured two sixes and nine fours, leaving Pakistan slightly short of a more substantial total. Captain Fatima Sana added an unbeaten 20 runs off 12 balls, while Saira Jabeen chipped in with 17 runs from 14 balls.
For Sri Lanka, Sugandika Kumari, Captain Athapaththu, and Kavya Kawindi each took one wicket.
Chasing a target of 178, Sri Lanka achieved victory in just 17.5 overs with two wickets down. The innings began with a solid partnership between Imesha Dulani and Captain Athapaththu, who put together 36 runs for the first wicket in 4.4 overs. Dulani scored 27 runs off 21 balls before being dismissed. Athapaththu then formed a formidable second-wicket partnership of 95 runs with Hasini Perera, which significantly shifted the momentum in Sri Lanka’s favor. Perera was out for 42 runs, having hit three fours and three sixes. Athapaththu remained steady, finishing the match with an impressive 83 runs off 50 balls, featuring six sixes and seven fours. Harshitha supported her with an unbeaten 17 runs.
Pakistan’s Fatima Sana and Nashra Sandhu each took one wicket in the match.
Sri Lanka will face the winner of the semifinal between India and Bangladesh in the final showdown.