Dubai, Sep 2026 : Harshita Samarawickrama and Kavisha Dilhari played crucial knocks to guide defending champions Sri Lanka to a four-wicket victory over Pakistan in the semifinal of the Women’s Asia Cup 2026 at the Dubai International Stadium on Friday.
The win booked Sri Lanka’s place in the final, where they will face India on Sunday. Chasing 131 for victory, Sri Lanka endured a difficult start before Harshita and Dilhari combined to produce a vital 67-run partnership and put their side firmly in control.
Sri Lanka’s chase got off to a disastrous beginning. Pakistan captain Fatima Sana struck twice in the second over, dismissing Chamari Athapaththu for five and Sanjana Kavindi for a duck. Sadia Iqbal then removed Hasini Perera for three, leaving Sri Lanka struggling at 31/3 at the end of the Power-play.
Imesha Dulani provided some resistance with a 22, but the momentum shifted decisively when Harshita and Dilhari came together. The pair remained composed under pressure, rotated the strike effectively and ensured that Pakistan could not maintain its grip on the contest.
Harshita scored 36, while Dilhari contributed 33, with the duo adding 67 runs before Fatima broke the partnership in the 17th over.
With Sri Lanka still requiring runs, Kaushani Nuthyangana joined Nilakshi de Silva at the crease. The Pakistan bowlers came under increasing pressure as the Sri Lankan pair remained calm and took their team closer to the target.
Sri Lanka eventually reached the required total in 18.4 overs with four wickets remaining. Nilakshi remained unbeaten on 18, while Nuthyangana finished on 10 not out.
Fatima was Pakistan’s standout bowler, claiming four wickets for 38 runs, but her impressive individual effort could not prevent Sri Lanka from completing the chase.
Earlier, Sri Lanka opted to bowl first and made an immediate impact through Sugandika Kumari, who dismissed Muneeba Ali for just two runs.
Shawaal Zulfiqar then provided Pakistan with a brisk start, scoring 24 from 16 balls before being dismissed in the fifth over. Ayesha Zafar and Sadaf Shamas also failed to establish themselves, scoring seven and eight respectively, as Pakistan slipped to 52/4 by the 10th over.
Gull Feroza and Fatima Sana steadied the innings with a 40-run partnership. Feroza scored 21 before departing in the 16th over, leaving Fatima to take charge during the closing overs.
Fatima produced an important unbeaten 47 from 36 balls, striking several boundaries to give Pakistan a competitive total. Tuba Hassan remained unbeaten on 12 as Pakistan finished on 130/5 in their 20 overs.
For Sri Lanka, Athapaththu and Chamudi Praboda claimed two wickets each, while Kumari finished with 1/20 from her spell.
Sri Lanka’s ability to recover from 31/3 and complete the chase under pressure highlighted their composure and experience. The defending champions will now turn their attention to the final against India, with the title set to be decided at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday.
Brief Scores
Pakistan Women: 130/5 in 20 overs (Fatima Sana 47*, Shawaal Zulfiqar 24; Chamari Athapaththu 2/24, Chamudi Praboda 2/25)
Sri Lanka Women: 134/6 in 18.4 overs (Harshita Samarawickrama 36, Kavisha Dilhari 33; Fatima Sana 4/38)
Result: Sri Lanka Women won by four wickets.
Score: 8.5/10 — A high-pressure semifinal in which Sri Lanka’s middle-order resilience and composure proved decisive, despite Pakistan’s strong start and Fatima Sana’s outstanding all-round contribution.
