Sri Lanka produced a remarkable comeback to defeat Pakistan by four wickets in the second semi-final of the ACC Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2026 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Friday, securing their place in Sunday’s final against India.
Chasing 131, Sri Lanka reached the target for six wickets with eight balls to spare. They endured a shaky start, losing four wickets for just 33 runs inside seven overs.
Harshitha Samarawickrama and Kavisha Dilhari then staged a superb recovery, adding 67 runs for the fifth wicket to take Sri Lanka past 100 in the 16th over. Samarawickrama top-scored with 36 off 31 balls, while Dilhari made 33 off 33.
Both fell to Pakistan captain Fatima Sana in the 17th over, leaving Sri Lanka at 109/6. However, Nilakshika Silva and Kaushini Nuthyangana finished the chase in style, sharing an unbeaten 34-run stand off just 10 balls.
Silva smashed an unbeaten 18 off 10 balls, while Nuthyangana scored 10 not out off four deliveries.
Fatima was Pakistan’s standout bowler, taking 4-38, while Sadia Iqbal and Umm-e-Hani claimed one wicket apiece.
Earlier put into bat, the Pakistani skipper produced a late attacking cameo to help the Green Shirts post 130/5.
Pakistan lost opener Muneeba Ali for two early before Shawaal Zulfiqar hit a quick 24 off 16 balls, including two sixes. After Zulfiqar’s dismissal, Gull Feroza steadied the innings with 21 off 32, sharing brief partnerships with Ayesha Zafar (7) and Sadaf Shamas (8).
Feroza then added 40 runs with Fatima for the fifth wicket before departing in the 16th over.
Fatima remained unbeaten on 47 off 36 balls, smashing four fours and two sixes, while Tuba Hassan contributed an unbeaten 12 off 10 deliveries.
For Sri Lanka, Chamudi Praboda and Chamari Athapaththu took two wickets each, while Sugandika Kumari claimed one.