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Chamari Athapaththu Shines as Sri Lanka Secures Thrilling Victory to Advance to Final
A disciplined half-century from captain Chamari Athapaththu played a crucial role in Sri Lanka’s dramatic victory over Pakistan in the second semifinal of the Women’s Asia Cup. Sri Lanka chased down a target of 141 with just one ball remaining, securing their place in the final against India.
The Key Difference:
Sri Lanka’s strategic play during the middle overs proved decisive. While Pakistan faltered during this crucial phase after a strong start, Sri Lanka managed to navigate through a shaky beginning and accumulate enough runs to finish the match despite losing several wickets.
Pakistan’s Performance:
Powerplay: Openers Set the Stage
Phase Score: 45/0 [RR: 7.5, 4s/6s: 6/0]
Despite a modest start with only six runs from the first two overs, Pakistan dominated the powerplay. Gull Feroza accelerated the innings with three boundaries in the third over, and Muneeba Ali followed with consecutive boundaries off Athapaththu in the subsequent over. By the end of the powerplay, Pakistan had amassed 45 runs, setting a solid foundation.
Middle Overs: Sri Lanka’s Counterattack
Phase Score: 55/4 [RR: 6.1, 4s/6s: 4/1]
Sri Lanka effectively neutralized Pakistan’s strong start around the midpoint of the innings. Udeshika Prabodhani’s return to the attack was pivotal as she dismissed both of Pakistan’s set openers in a single over, disrupting their momentum. Following a brief recovery, Pakistan lost two more wickets in one over as Kavisha Dilhari took crucial strikes.
Death Overs: Pakistan Fights Back
Phase Score: 40/0 [RR: 8, 4s/6s: 3/1]
Fatima Sana and Aliya Riaz paired up after the double-wicket over, realizing the need for quick runs with only four overs left. Fatima found the boundary three times in the final overs, while Aliya cleared the ropes once, helping Pakistan set a competitive total of 140.
Sri Lanka’s Performance
Powerplay: Pakistan Takes Early Advantage
Phase Score: 35/2 [RR: 5.83, 4s/6s: 4/0]
In stark contrast to Pakistan’s strong start, Sri Lanka faced early setbacks in their run chase. Vishmi Gunaratne was dismissed lbw for a duck in the opening over. Although Harshitha Madavi hit a couple of boundaries in the second over, she was out for just 12. The responsibility fell on Chamari Athapaththu to stabilize the innings following this challenging start.
Middle Overs: Chamari Athapaththu Leads the Charge
Phase Score: 71/2 [RR: 7.88, 4s/6s: 10/1]
After a brief period of rebuilding, Athapaththu began to assert her dominance, finding the boundary with regularity and pushing the score to 69. Despite Sadia Iqbal’s critical blow, taking two wickets in three deliveries, Athapaththu’s steady presence kept Sri Lanka in contention. She struck a couple of boundaries towards the end of this phase, completing her half-century and reducing the target to 35 runs from 30 balls.
Death Overs: A Nail-Biting Finish
Phase Score: 35/3 [RR: 7.24, 4s/6s: 3/1]
Athapaththu’s slog sweep over deep midwicket put Sri Lanka in a favorable position, bringing the required runs down to 28 from 26 balls. She also hit another boundary in the following over to bring her team closer to the target. However, Pakistan mounted a strong comeback, with Athapaththu getting bowled while attempting a reverse sweep and a subsequent run-out adding pressure. Despite this, Sugandika Kumari delivered two crucial boundaries under pressure, reducing the requirement to 3 runs off 6 balls. Nida Dar’s best efforts in the final over, including a dot ball and a wicket, weren’t enough as Sri Lanka managed to secure the win.
Brief Scores:
Pakistan 140/4 in 20 overs (Muneeba Ali 37, Udeshika Prabodhani 2/23) lost to Sri Lanka 141/7 in 19.5 overs (Chamari Athapaththu 63; Sadia Iqbal 4/16) by 3 wickets
