NISSHIN: Pakistan missed out on the Asian Games women’s cricket final after Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu smashed an unbeaten half-century in an eight-wicket victory over Fatima Sana’s side on Sunday.
Chasing 178 at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin, Sri Lanka reached the target with 13 balls to spare.
Athapaththu remained unbeaten on 83 from 50 balls. Her innings included seven fours and six sixes.
Harshitha Samarawickrama stayed unbeaten on 17 as Sri Lanka completed a comfortable chase.
Pakistan had posted 177 for four after Ayesha Zafar scored 71 from 40 balls and Shawaal Zulfiqar made 54 from 50.
However, Sri Lanka’s chase quickly became one-sided as Athapaththu attacked Pakistan’s bowlers.
The defeat was Pakistan’s second against Sri Lanka in 10 days. Sri Lanka had also eliminated Pakistan in the semi-final of the recent Women’s Asia Cup.
Sri Lanka later lost to India and will face the Asian champions in the gold medal match. India defeated Bangladesh in the other semi-final.
Pakistan will face Bangladesh in the bronze medal match on Tuesday, the same day as the final.
Athapaththu Leads Sri Lanka’s Chase
Sri Lanka made a quick start despite Pakistan opening with spin.
Imesha Dulani attacked Umm-e-Hani as Sri Lanka reached 19 without loss after two overs. Momina Riasat then conceded two no-balls and a wide in an expensive third over.
Fatima Sana provided Pakistan’s first breakthrough in the fifth over when she bowled Dulani for 27 off 21 balls.
Sri Lanka were 39 for one at that stage.
Athapaththu then shifted gears. She hit Momina for six, four, six and four in the eighth over as Sri Lanka moved to 70 for one.
The Sri Lankan captain continued her assault against Pakistan’s bowlers.
She struck Nashra Sandhu for two fours and a six in the 10th over, while Hasini Perera also accelerated against Tuba Hassan.
Sri Lanka reached 121 for one after 13 overs and needed only 57 runs from 42 balls.
Nashra ended the partnership in the next over when Hasini was caught by Umm-e-Hani at cover.
Hasini scored 42 from 26 balls, hitting three fours and three sixes.
With Sri Lanka at 131 for two, Pakistan needed a strong finish from their bowlers. However, Athapaththu continued to dominate.
She reached 65 from 44 balls after Fatima’s over went for 11 runs.
Athapaththu then hit two consecutive sixes in Umm-e-Hani’s final over as Sri Lanka reached 157 for two after 16 overs.
Pakistan missed another opportunity when Aliya Riaz dropped Athapaththu at long-off off Ayesha Zafar. The Sri Lankan captain was on 79 at the time.
Athapaththu hit a four in the same over before finishing the chase with two balls remaining in the 18th over.
Ayesha and Shawaal Set Up 177
Pakistan lost opener Gull Feroza early when Sugandika Kumari bowled her with the second delivery of the innings.
Saira Jabeen and Shawaal Zulfiqar then steadied the innings.
Saira scored 17 from 14 balls before Athapaththu had her caught at deep midwicket in the sixth over.
Ayesha joined Shawaal and launched Pakistan’s counterattack.
The pair added 115 runs, with Ayesha particularly effective against Sri Lanka’s spinners.
She completed her half-century from only 27 balls as Pakistan crossed 100 in the 12th over.
Ayesha eventually departed for 71 from 40 deliveries. Her innings included nine fours and two sixes.
She was run out at the bowler’s end while attempting a risky single in the 17th over.
Shawaal completed her half-century from 47 balls, hitting three fours and two sixes.
She was dismissed for 54 in the following over after being caught at deep midwicket.
Captain Fatima provided late runs with an unbeaten 20 from 12 balls, including two fours and a six.
Eyman Fatima hit a four from the final delivery as Pakistan finished on 177 for four.
Sri Lanka also missed several fielding chances during Pakistan’s innings.
Kumari, Athapaththu and Kawya Kavindi took one wicket each. Kumari was the most economical, conceding 31 runs in her four overs.
