DUBAI: Fatima Sana’s Heroics in Vain summed up Pakistan’s disappointing Women’s Asia Cup semi-final against Sri Lanka, as the Pakistan captain’s outstanding all-round performance could not prevent her side from suffering a four-wicket defeat. Fatima Sana scored an unbeaten 47 off 36 balls and claimed four wickets, but Sri Lanka successfully chased Pakistan’s 131-run target with seven balls remaining.
Sri Lanka’s victory secured their place in the Women’s Asia Cup final, where they will face India on Sunday. The result also marked Sri Lanka’s third consecutive victory over Pakistan in an Asia Cup semi-final, following their wins in the 2022 and 2024 editions.
Fatima Sana’s Heroics in Vain Despite Outstanding All-Round Display
Pakistan were asked to bat first after Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu won the toss and elected to bowl. Pakistan once again started slowly and lost Muneeba Ali early in the innings.
Shawaal Zulfiqaar briefly provided momentum by attacking Sri Lanka’s bowlers, hitting Mithali Ayodhya for two fours and a six before launching Athapaththu over long-on for another maximum. However, her aggressive approach ended when she was dismissed by Athapaththu off the following delivery.
Ayesha Zafar and Sadaf Shamas also departed cheaply, leaving Pakistan under pressure. Gul Feroza and Fatima Sana then rebuilt the innings with a valuable 40-run partnership.
After Feroza was dismissed, Fatima took responsibility for the Pakistan innings. Despite battling cramps in the Dubai heat, she remained unbeaten on 47 and helped Pakistan reach 130 for six.
Tuba Hassan provided useful support at the other end, scoring 12 off 10 balls as Pakistan added 38 runs during the final four overs.
Fatima Sana Strikes Twice in Her First Over
Pakistan appeared to have the upper hand when Fatima Sana opened the bowling.
The captain delivered two wickets from two consecutive balls, reducing Sri Lanka to 5-2. Chamari Athapaththu was caught at deep backward square before Sanjana Kavindi was dismissed off the next delivery after edging a leading shot towards midwicket.
Pakistan continued to apply pressure as Hasini Perera was dismissed by Sadia Iqbal, while Umm-e-Hani removed Imesha Dulani. Sri Lanka were suddenly struggling at 33-4.
However, Harshita Samarawickrama and Kavisha Dilhari changed the complexion of the match.
The pair produced a crucial 67-run partnership, attacking Pakistan’s spinners and rotating the strike effectively. Their partnership took Sri Lanka to 100-4 and put the chasing side in a strong position.
Fatima Sana Completes Four-Wicket Haul
Fatima Sana returned to the attack and gave Pakistan another chance by taking two more wickets in her third over.
She dismissed Harshita Samarawickrama at the start of the 17th over before trapping Kavisha Dilhari leg-before wicket from the final delivery of the over. The two wickets completed Fatima’s impressive four-wicket haul.
Samarawickrama was Sri Lanka’s key contributor with 36 runs from 31 balls, while Dilhari played an important role in the recovery.
Despite Fatima’s late intervention, Sri Lanka remained close to victory.
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Kaushini Nuthyangana and Nilakshika Silva kept their composure during the closing stages. Nuthyangana struck the first six of her international career before Silva finished the chase with a boundary.
Both decisive boundaries came from Fatima Sana’s bowling, adding to the frustration of Pakistan’s captain after her superb individual performance.
Sri Lanka Reach Final Against India
Sri Lanka eventually reached 134-6, completing the chase with seven balls to spare and earning another place in the Women’s Asia Cup final.
Fatima Sana was named Player of the Match for her unbeaten 47 and four wickets. However, Pakistan’s captain admitted that fielding mistakes had cost her team despite believing that 130 was a defendable total.
She also highlighted the need for Pakistan to improve as a batting unit.
Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu, meanwhile, expressed confidence in her team ahead of the final, saying that Sri Lanka have enough quality players to challenge any opposition if they execute their plans properly.
The victory means Sri Lanka will meet India in the final on Sunday in a repeat of the previous edition’s title clash.
For Pakistan, the result was a bitter disappointment.Fatima Sana’s Heroics in Vain became the defining theme of the semi-final, with the captain delivering an exceptional all-round performance but ultimately unable to take Pakistan into the final.
