Pakistan miss out on Asian Games women's cricket final as Athapaththu blitz takes Sri Lanka through

Pakistan missed out on the Asian Games women’ cricket final as Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu’s unbeaten half century gave the side an emphatic eight-wicket victory over Fatima Sana’s charges in the semi-final at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin, Japan on Sunday.

Chasing 178, Sri Lanka raced to 178 with 13 balls to spare, with Athapaththu finishing unbeaten on 83 off 50 balls, having struck seven fours and six sixes. Harshitha Samarawickrama was unbeaten on 17.

Pakistan had appeared to set a challenging target after posting 177 for four, with Ayesha Zafar top-scoring with 71 off 40 balls and Shawaal Zulfiqar contributing 54 off 50.

But Sri Lanka’s chase quickly turned into a one-sided affair, led by their captain’s destructive hitting as Pakistan’s bowlers struggled to contain the scoring rate.

It was Pakistan’s second defeat against Sri Lanka in 10 days after the former was knocked out of the recent Women’s Asia Cup as the latter won the tournament’s semi-final.

Sri Lanka later lost to India and may meet the Asian champions again in the final if they beat Bangladesh in the second semi-final of the Games.

The loser of that match will take on Pakistan for the bronze medal encounter on Tuesday, the same day the final is to be played.

Brisk start

Sri Lanka made a brisk start despite opening against spin, with Imesha Dulani taking the attack to Umm-e-Hani. They reached 19 without loss after two overs before a costly third over from Momina Riasat, who conceded two no-balls and a wide.

Fatima provided Pakistan with their first breakthrough in the fifth over, having Dulani bowled for 27 off 21 balls. Sri Lanka were 39 for one at that stage.

Athapaththu, initially watchful, then accelerated spectacularly. She hit Momina for a six, four, six and four in the eighth over to take Sri Lanka to 70 for one.

The Sri Lankan captain continued her assault, striking Nashra Sandhu for two fours and a six in the 10th over. Hasini Perera joined in the acceleration, particularly against Tuba Hassan, and Sri Lanka moved to 121 for one after 13 overs, needing 57 from 42 balls.

Nashra eventually broke the partnership in the following over when Hasini, who had reached 42 off 26 balls with three fours and three sixes, was caught by Umm-e-Hani at cover. Sri Lanka were 131 for two with 47 still required from 36 deliveries.

There was little further resistance from Pakistan.

Athapaththu moved to 65 off 44 balls after Fatima’s return over went for 11, before taking 15 from Umm-e-Hani’s final over, including consecutive sixes.

Sri Lanka were 157 for two after 16 overs and needed only 21 from the final four overs.

Pakistan were also unable to hold on to a chance when Aliya Riaz dropped Athapaththu at long-off off Ayesha Zafar with the batter on 79. Athapaththu hit a four in the same over before completing the chase with two balls of the 18th over remaining.

Ayesha stars

Earlier, Pakistan’s innings had suffered an early setback when opener Gull Feroza was clean bowled by Sugandika Kumari off the second delivery.

Saira Jabeen and Shawaal steadied the innings, but Saira fell for a brisk 17 off 14 balls when Sri Lanka captain Athapaththu had her caught at deep midwicket in the sixth over.

Ayesha then joined Shawaal and took the attack to the Sri Lankan bowlers. The pair added 115 runs, with Ayesha particularly aggressive against the spin.

She reached her half-century off just 27 balls as Pakistan crossed 100 in the 12th over. Ayesha eventually fell for a 40-ball 71, including nine fours and two sixes, when a risky single resulted in a run-out at the bowler’s end in the 17th over.

Shawaal brought up her half-century from 47 balls, having struck three fours and two sixes, but was dismissed for 54 off 50 balls in the following over, caught at deep midwicket after failing to get enough power behind a shot.

Fatima provided the late impetus with an unbeaten 20 off 12 balls, including two fours and a six, while Eyman Fatima struck a four from the final delivery to take Pakistan to 177 for four.

Pakistan’s innings was also helped by several fielding lapses from Sri Lanka, who missed opportunities during the middle overs.

Kumari, Athapaththu and Kawya Kavindi took one wicket apiece for Sri Lanka, with Kumari the most economical of the three, conceding 31 runs from her four overs.