SYLHET: All-rounder Nida Dar and skipper Bismah Maroof put up a brave resistance before Sri Lanka bounced back and beat Pakistan by just one run in a nail-biting semifinal of the Women’s Asia Cup, here on Thursday. 

Both teams engaged in a thrilling competition with the winner being decided on the final ball as Dar tried to pinch the second run for a potential Super Over but wicket keeper shattered the stumps while she dived in vain. Set to chase 122, the Green Shirts fought vigorously as skipper Bismah played a valiant knock of 41 off 42 while Dar scored 26 off 26. Opener Muneeba Ali contributed with 18 off 10 while Omaima Sohail scored 10 off 14. For Sri Lanka, Inoka Ranaweera bagged two wickets while Sugandika Kumari and  Achini Kulasuriya took a scalp each.  Earlier, Pakistan bowler Nashra Sandhu remained sensational with the bowl as she pocketed three wickets for 17 runs to help Pakistan restrict Sri Lanka to 122/6 in the allotted 20 overs.

Harshitha Samarawickrama top-scored for Sri Lanka as she played a cautious knock of 35 off 41 while opener Anushka Sanjeewani scored 26 off 21. For Pakistan, apart from Sandhu, Sadia Iqbal, Aimen Anwar and Dar picked a wicket each. Following the sensational win, Sri Lanka will now face the winner of the second semifinal between India and Thailand in the tournament’s final on Saturday.

Published in The Daily National Courier, October, 14 2022

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