The Sri Lanka women’s cricket team secured their place in the final of the Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2024 by defeating Pakistan by three wickets in the second semi-final at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on Friday.

The hosts managed to chase down the 141-run target in the last over, highlighting a dramatic finish to a keenly contested match.

Sri Lanka needed three off six balls in the last over but Dar’s impressive display made it somewhat difficult for the home side. However, the Pakistani skipper ended up bowling a wide ball which changed the game in the hosts’ favour.

During their chase, Sri Lanka suffered initially as they lost two of their batters — Vishmi Gunaratne and Harshitha Samarawickrama — and were 19-2 in just four overs.

However, skipper Chamari Athapaththu played a leader’s knock which guided Sri Lanka near to victory. She scored 63 runs on 48 balls with 10 boundaries.

Down the order, Anushka Sanjeewani provided crucial 24 runs and the Islanders chased the target with one ball to spare.

For Pakistan, Sadia Iqbal bagged four wickets while Dar and Omaima Sohail took one each.

Sri Lanka will now face India in the final on July 28 in Dambulla.

After being asked to bat first, Pakistan had a decent start as their openers — Gull Feroza and Muneeba Ali — continued to play with caution and kept scoring without much trouble.

Feroza and Muneeba formed a 61-run partnership before the former was dismissed by Udeshika Prabodhani for 25 runs. The latter followed her opening partner in the same over after scoring 37 runs on 34 balls.

Sidra Amin came at number three but she could not do much as well as she lost her wicket after 10 runs off 13 deliveries.

Skipper Nida Dar played a great and quick knock, scoring 23 runs on 17 balls and her valiant display was continued by Fatima Sana (23 off 17) and Aliya Riaz (16 off 15) as the late contributions by the batters helped Pakistan post a 141-run target.

For Sri Lanka, Udeshika Prabodhani and Kavisha Dilhari bagged two wickets each.

Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Mohsin Naqvi encouraged the team members on X.