Photo via Hindustan Times

India to face Sri Lanka in Women's Asia Cup final after Pakistan crash out

Sri Lanka earned a four-wicket victory over Pakistan at the Dubai International Stadium to arrange a repeat of the prior edition's final against India, who earlier secured their spot by topping Bangladesh by 40 runs. After choosing to field, Sri Lanka limited Pakistan to 130 for 5, sparked by Chamari Athapaththu removing both Shawaal Zulfiqar for 24 and Ayesha Zafar for 7 to leave Pakistan struggling at 52 for 4.

Despite Gull Feroza falling for 21 following a 40-run partnership, Pakistan skipper Fatima Sana carried the batting effort with an undefeated 47, hitting four boundaries and two sixes. Sri Lanka stumbled early in the pursuit when Sana struck twice in consecutive balls during the second over to dismiss Athapaththu for 5 and Sanjana Kavindi for a duck, before Umm-e-Hani and Sadia Iqbal struck to reduce the chase to 33 for 4.

A stabilizing 67-run alliance between Harshitha Samarawickrama (36) and Kavisha Dilhari (33) turned the momentum back, only for Sana to strike down both well-set batters in the 17th over and leave 22 runs required from 18 deliveries. Kaushani Nuthyangana and Nilakshika Silva then targeted Iqbal and Sana, helped by a costly no-ball in the penultimate over, to wrap up the chase with eight deliveries remaining and send the defending champions to Sunday's decider.