Sri Lanka Women pull off nail biting win by 1 run over Pakistan to set up Asia Cup final vs India

Sri Lanka Women pulled off a heart stopping 1-run win over Pakistan in the second semi-final of the Women’s Asia Cup at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium yesterday to set up a final showdown against India today.

Inoka Ranaweera produced her second successive Player of the Match performance bowling a decisive penultimate over getting rid of the big hitting Ayesha Naseem cheaply with Pakistan, needing a run a ball 16 for victory chasing Sri Lanka’s 122 for 6 ending on 121 for 6. Ranaweera took 2 for 12 setting up a drama filled final over sent down by Achini Kulasuriya with Pakistan needing 8 more. But Kulasuriya retained a tight reign limiting Pakistan to 3 off the final delivery that Nida Dar perished from when she was run out by an excellent retrieving throw by Kavishka Dilhari after dropping a blinder at cover. Pakistan skipper Bismah Maroof had kept the side in the game with a run a ball 42 but her dismissal in the 18th over saw Sri Lanka apply the final brakes with aplomb.

Sri Lanka’s run charge was ignited by a power play forceful knock of 26 off 21 by Anushka Sanjeewani who smashed 26 off 21 while Harshitha Samarawickrama struck a top score of 39 after skipper Chamarie Athapaththu had fallen for 10 inclusive of a 6- Nilakshi de Silva made 14, and Hasini Perera 13.

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