Sri Lanka beat Pakistan by four wickets to reach Asia Cup final

Sri Lanka beat Pakistan by four wickets in Dubai on Friday (September 11) to reach the Asia Cup final for the third straight time, setting up another title clash with India.

Chasing 131, the defending champions recovered from 35 for four to reach 134 for six in 18.4 overs. Harshitha Samarawickrama and Kavisha Dilhari led the fightback with a 50-run fifth-wicket stand before Pakistan captain Fatima Sana brought her side back into contention.

Sana dismissed Harshitha for 36 and Dilhari for 33 in the 17th over to finish with four wickets for 38 runs. But Nilakshika de Silva kept her composure in the closing overs, hitting the winning boundary after Kawshani Nuthyangana struck a six off Sana.

Sri Lanka's chase had begun disastrously as Sana removed Chamari Athapaththu and Sanjana Kavindi with consecutive deliveries. Hasini Perera and Imesha Dulani then fell as Pakistan reduced Sri Lanka to 35 for four.

Earlier, Pakistan struggled throughout their innings after being sent in to bat. They slipped to 52 for four by the 10th over and managed only 31 runs between overs 11 and 15.

Sana rescued Pakistan with an unbeaten 47 off 36 balls, including four fours and two sixes, while Tuba Hassan added 38 runs with her for the sixth wicket. Pakistan eventually posted 130 for five.

The result extended Sri Lanka's unbeaten run in the tournament and earned them a third consecutive Asia Cup final against India.