Sri Lanka women pulled off a thrilling win against the Pakistan women and won the semifinal by 3 wickets.
Batting first, Pakistan scored 140 for 4 in their allotted 20 overs. Muneeba Ali scored 37 while Gull Feroza scored 25 runs. Captain Nida Dar (23 off 17) and Fatima Sana (23 off 17) provided a late flurry as they got to the 140-mark at the Dambulla Stadium.
Sri Lanka lost Vishmi Gunaratne early in the run chase, but captain Chamari Athapaththu played a fantastic knock. The legendary Lanka batter scored 63 off just 48 balls and paved the way for the hosts in the semis, with the help of Anushka Sanjeewani who scored 24 crucial runs and remained unbeaten to take Sri Lanka over the line. Pakistan's left-arm spinner Sadia Iqbal picked up 4 wickets but failed to contain the lower middle order.
With 16 runs needed in the last two overs, Sri Lanka scored 13 runs in the penultimate over. Despite not scoring any run in the first three balls in the final over, Sanjeewani kept her composure and took her team over the line.
The hosts will now play India women in the Final of the Asia Cup, which will be played on Sunday (July 28).
PAK-W vs SL-W Brief Scores
Pakistan Women: 140/4 in 20 overs (Muneeba Ali 37, Gull Feroza 25; Udeshika Prabodhani 2/23)
Sri Lanka Women: 141/7 in 19.5 overs (Chamari Athapaththu 63, Anushka Sanjeewani 24*; Sadia Iqbal 4/16)
Result: Sri Lanka won by 3 wickets
Player of the Match: Chamari Athapaththu