Sri Lanka defeated Pakistan by 8 wickets in the first semi-final of the 2026 Asian Games women’s cricket competition at Korogi Sports Park, Nisshin, on Sunday, September 20, booking their place in the gold medal match and ending Pakistan’s campaign at the tournament.
A wet outfield pushed the start back by close to two hours, but once play began, Sri Lanka were dominant throughout. Pakistan posted 177/4 in their 20 overs, and Sri Lanka overhauled the target in 17.5 overs, finishing at 178/2 with 13 balls to spare.
Chamari Athapaththu was the central figure in the chase, scoring an unbeaten 83 off 50 balls. She and Hasini Perera put on a 95-run partnership for the second wicket that effectively settled the contest. Imesha Dulani had earlier contributed 26 off 21 balls at the top of the order before being dismissed by Fatima Sana. Harshitha Samarawickrama then came in and finished the job with 17 not out off 12 balls.
How did Pakistan set their total of 177?
Pakistan’s innings got off to the worst possible start when Gull Feroza was dismissed on the very first ball of the match. The middle order steadied the innings considerably, with Ayesha Zafar scoring a brisk 71 off 40 balls and Shawaal Zulfiqar contributing 54. Those two innings gave Pakistan a competitive total of 177/4 at the end of their 20 overs.
In the chase, Fatima Sana was Pakistan’s most economical bowler, finishing with figures of 1/24 in 3 overs, accounting for Dulani’s wicket. Nashra Sandhu also claimed one wicket in 3.5 overs. Despite those contributions, Pakistan’s bowling attack had no answer for the Athapaththu-Perera partnership, which carried Sri Lanka to the brink of victory before Samarawickrama completed the win.
What happens next for Sri Lanka and Pakistan?
Sri Lanka will now face the winner of the second semi-final between India and Bangladesh in the gold medal match. The final represents Sri Lanka’s opportunity to claim the top prize at the 2026 Asian Games women’s cricket competition.
Pakistan will not contest the final. They will instead play for the bronze medal against the losing side from the India versus Bangladesh semi-final, with that bronze medal match scheduled for Tuesday.
