ISLAMABAD, Sep 20 (IN): Sri Lanka stormed into the Gold Medal match of the Asian Games 2026 women’s cricket tournament after defeating Pakistan by eight wickets in the first semifinal at Nisshin on Sunday.Chasing a target of 178 runs, Sri Lanka reached 178-2 in just 17.5 overs, with captain Chamari Athapaththu leading the charge with a magnificent unbeaten 83 off 50 balls. Her explosive innings included seven fours and six sixes.Earlier, Pakistan posted a competitive 177-4 in their allotted 20 overs after being sent in to bat. Ayesha Zafar and Shawaal Zulfiqar struck impressive half-centuries, putting together a record 115-run partnership for the third wicket.
Ayesha scored 71 off 40 balls, smashing nine fours and two sixes, while Shawaal contributed 54 off 50 balls, hitting three fours and two sixes.Pakistan lost early wickets but recovered strongly through the partnership. Captain Fatima Sana added an unbeaten 20 off 12 balls to help Pakistan reach 177.In reply, Sri Lanka lost Imesha Dulani for 27, but Athapaththu and Hasini Perera took control of the chase. The pair added 95 runs from 56 balls, with Perera scoring 42 off 26 deliveries.Although Nashra Sundhu dismissed Perera in the 14th over, Athapaththu remained unbeaten and, alongside Harshitha Samrawickrama, completed the chase with 13 balls remaining.
Sri Lanka will now face the winner of the India-Bangladesh semifinal in the Gold Medal match, while Pakistan will play the losing side of the second semifinal for the Bronze Medal on September 22.Scores in Brief:Pakistan: 177-4 in 20 oversAyesha Zafar 71, Shawaal Zulfiqar 54, Fatima Sana 20*; Kawya Kavindi 1-13.Sri Lanka: 178-2 in 17.5 oversChamari Athapaththu 83*, Hasini Perera 42, Imesha Dulani 27; Fatima Sana 1-24.
