Fans erupt as Chamari Athapaththu helps Sri Lanka beat Pakistan to reach Women’s Asia Cup 2024 final

In the 2nd Semi-Final of Women’s Women’s Cup 2024 in Dambulla on Friday (July 26), Women of Sri Lanka they secured their place in the final with a thrilling three-wicket victory Pakistan Women. Chasing 141, Sri Lanka reached their target with just one ball to spare, thanks to a gritty 63 from their captain, Chamari Athapaththu. Sri Lanka will now face seven champions, Women of Indiain the finals, aiming to close out a tight match between the tournament and the competition.

Pakistan’s competitive environment

Pakistan posted a competitive figure of 140/4 in 20 overs. The innings was strengthened by Uneba Aliwho contributed a solid 37 off 34 balls, including five boundaries. Gull Feroza and played a key role, scoring 25 off 24 balls. Captain Nida Dar he added a quickfire 23 off 17 balls, while Fatima Sana again Aliya Riaz they have given the latest development with their unbeaten offerings.

A key partnership of the innings came between Muneeba and Nida, who added 33 runs for the fourth wicket. Despite this strong growth, Pakistan’s innings faced a lot of disruption from Sri Lanka’s bowlers. Deshika Prabodhani again Kavisha Dilhari each took two wickets, while Suganga Kumari and Athapaththu kept the pressure on with their economic spells.

ALSO READ: Women’s Women’s Cup 2024: Date, Match Time, Venue, Broadcast and Live Stream Details

Sri Lanka chase led by Chamari Athapaththu

In reply, Sri Lanka chased down a target of 141 in spectacular fashion. Athapaththu was instrumental in the chase, hitting 63 off 48 balls with nine boundaries and one six. His innings was crucial in guiding Sri Lanka to victory. Harshitha Samarawickrama again Kavisha Dilhari and contributed 12 and 17 runs, respectively, but it was a late surge Anushka Sanjeewani that ensured that Sri Lanka crossed the finish line.

Sadia Iqbal Pakistan’s best bowler, taking four key wickets for just 16 runs. Despite his efficiency, Sri Lanka’s consistent batting and strategic partnership allowed them to get closer to the target. The last over was tight, Sri Lanka needed 6 runs from the last 6 balls. Sanjeewani’s innings wrapped up the innings and ensured victory with a ball to spare. Pakistani bowlers, including Nida and Omaima Sohailoffered a strong resistance but could not prevent Sri Lanka from clinching victory.

Here’s how fans reacted:

Queen 👸

You really are a queen!!! @58Chamari

Chamari Athapaththu scored 63 (48) in the 2024 Asia Cup Semi-Final pic.twitter.com/O5BRwnSUyT

— Kanishka Roshan (@KrosaniTy) July 26, 2024

Sri Lanka’s Chamari Athapaththu is Asia’s Best Women’s Cricketer. 🇱🇰 #Cricket #Sri Lanka

– Daniel Alexander (@daniel86cricket) July 26, 2024

A shock semi-final. Good to watch 🙌
Sri Lanka and their home crowd will be a good test for India in the final.

– Saurabh Malhotra (@MalhotraSaurabh) July 26, 2024

Sri Lanka deserved to be in the final, but that was the last for Nida Dar. And there were half a million people at one time on Hotstar watching the finale of this competitive deadline. #AsiaCup

– Tareque Laskar (@tarequelaskar) July 26, 2024

Winning Sri Lanka Women’s Team, Just Beat Pak In Semi. Ind vs SL in Asia Cup Final 🔥#AsiaCup

— Sagar Mhatre (@MhatreGang) July 26, 2024

A classic game after a long time from women’s cricket. Sri Lanka W team is full of fighters. You need to be very smart to compete with india. #AsiaCup

— JD (@consistntpunter) July 26, 2024

Nida Dar, an experienced player, made a mistake in today’s semi final against Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka needed 2 runs from 2 balls. Nida bowled a wide ball which made the run chase easy for Sri Lanka.😡😡😡

— Yasir Yousafzai (@Yasirpukhtoon) July 26, 2024

Sri Lanka wins!

They play India in the final!

Pakistan, you had many chances, you didn’t take them.

— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) July 26, 2024

Chamari Athapaththu’s heart was beating outside his body throughout that 20th over. Heartache on Nida Dar’s part but oh my god, what a relief for a Lankan legend. #AsiaCup2024 #WomensAsiaCup

— Lavanya 🎙️🎥👩🏻‍💻 (@lav_narayanan) July 26, 2024

It’s nice to match 🔥🔥

Sri Lanka beat Pakistan by 3 wickets to advance to the final of Asia Cup 2024 🙌#women #cricket #SLvPAK #asiacup2024 #ChamariAthapaththu #CricketTwitter #Women’s cricket pic.twitter.com/6k5R9O44bX

– WomenCricket.com (@WomenCricketHQ) July 26, 2024

Sri Lanka beat Pakistan in a thrilling semi-final, crossing the line with one ball to spare and three wickets in hand. They were coasting until Sadia Iqbal’s inspired performance put Pakistan back in the hunt. But in the end, Chamari Athapaththu has been the difference maker again.

– Aatif Nawaz (@AatifNawaz) July 26, 2024

ALSO READ: Women’s Asian Cup 2024: Here are the complete squads for all 8 teams

This article was originally published on WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.