“Jeeta hua match harna koi Pakistan se sikhy”- Fans react as Pakistan Women lose to Sri Lanka Women by one run in Women’s Asia Cup semi-final 

A clinical performance from Sri Lanka Women helped the side beat Pakistan Women by one run in a nail-biting contest at the Women’s Asia Cup semi-final in Sylhet on Thursday (October 13).

Chasing 123 runs, Pakistan Women didn’t get a good start as they lost opener Sidra Ameen (9) cheaply. Muneeba Ali looked decent for her 10-ball 18 but failed to play a big knock.

Pakistan Women's captain Bismah Mahroof led from the front with 42 off 41 balls, while Nida Dar smashed 26 off as many deliveries. In the last overs, the side required 18 runs off as many balls but failed to chase down the target.

Achini Kulasuriya kept her nerves to defend eight runs in the last over.

Inoka Ranaweera was the pick of the bowlers for Sri Lanka Women. She finished with figures of 17/2. Sugandika Kumari and Kavisha Dilhari also picked up one wicket each.

Earlier, the contributions of Harshitha Samarawickrama (35) and Anushka Sanjeewani (26) helped Sri Women reach 122/6 in 20 overs.

Nashra Sandhu emerged as the pick of the bowlers for Pakistan with 17/3. Nida Dar, Sadia Iqbal and Aiman Anwar took one wicket each.

Fans expressed their surprise as Pakistan Women failed to chase down 123 runs. Here are some of the reactions:

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“That’s good for us” – Chamari Athapaththu as Sri Lanka Women reach Women’s Asia Cup final after 14 years

Sri Lanka Women's skipper Chamari Athapathu was excited to reach the Women’s Asia Cup final after 14 years. Sri Lanka Women will face Harmanpreet Kaur and Co. in the tournament final in Sylhet on Saturday (October 15).

Speaking to Star Sports post-match, Athapaththu said:

“Lots of pressure, but we stuck by the bowlers. I always thought that my bowlers could do a good job. We changed the batting order to change a few things. After 14 years, we are in the Asia Cup final, that's good for us."

She added:

"First six overs, they batted well, openers did well, but we stuck to our plans. We knew that after six overs, it isn't easy to hit boundaries, so just stuck to our plans. Kavisha is a fighter. She handles pressure well. Dropped the catch but got the run out which was important.”

India Women are the most successful team in the Women’s Asia Cup, winning six out of the seven editions of the tournament.

The Women in Blue ended up as runners-up in the last edition of the Asia Cup in 2018.