Athapaththu's unbeaten 83 steers Sri Lanka women into Asian Games final
Synopsis
Chamari Athapaththu turned a tricky 178-run chase into a masterclass, going unbeaten on 83 off 50 balls as Sri Lanka Women swept Pakistan aside by eight wickets at Nisshin. Despite Ayesha Zafar's blazing 71 and Zulfiqar's 54 building a competitive 177/4, it was never enough — Athapaththu barely let the game breathe. Sri Lanka are in the gold-medal final; Pakistan face a bronze-medal playoff against India or Bangladesh.
Key Takeaways
Chamari Athapaththu scored an unbeaten 83 off 50 balls (7 fours, 6 sixes) to anchor Sri Lanka's chase at Korogi Sports Park, Nisshin .
Sri Lanka Women chased down 178 in just 17.5 overs , winning by eight wickets with 13 deliveries unused.
Athapaththu and Hasini Perera added 95 runs for the second wicket to seal the match.
Pakistan were propped up by Ayesha Zafar's 71 off 40 and Shawaal Zulfiqar's 54 off 50 , posting 177/4 .
Sri Lanka advance to the Asian Games gold-medal final ; Pakistan face a bronze-medal playoff on Tuesday against the India-Bangladesh semifinal loser.
Chamari Athapaththu delivered a devastating captain's knock on Sunday at Korogi Sports Park, Nisshin, as Sri Lanka Women chased down Pakistan's 177/4 with eight wickets and 13 deliveries to spare, booking their place in the Asian Games women's cricket final. The result was as emphatic as the scoreline suggests.
Athapaththu's Masterclass
Sri Lanka needed 178 to win and took just 17.5 overs to get there. Athapaththu closed the chase unbeaten on 83 off 50 deliveries, an innings laced with seven fours and six sixes that methodically dismantled Pakistan's bowling. She never allowed the required rate to build pressure, accelerating precisely when Pakistan searched for answers.
The foundation was laid by opener Imesha Dulani, who struck a crisp 26 off 21 balls before Pakistan skipper Fatima Sana provided a temporary breakthrough. The interruption lasted only briefly. Athapaththu then forged a match-winning 95-run second-wicket stand with Hasini Perera, who contributed 42 to the partnership, steadily extinguishing any realistic hope Pakistan had of defending their total.
When Perera fell with the finish line in sight, there was no wobble. Harshitha Samarawickrama arrived unbeaten on 17 and helped Athapaththu complete the formality. Sri Lanka reached 178/2, winning by eight wickets.
Pakistan's Recovery That Wasn't Enough
Pakistan's innings had begun disastrously — Gull Feroza was dismissed on the very first delivery after Sri Lanka chose to bowl first following a wet-outfield delay. At that point, a below-par total looked certain.
What followed was a remarkable two-woman restoration. Ayesha Zafar attacked relentlessly, blasting 71 off 40 balls with nine fours and two sixes, while Shawaal Zulfiqar provided steady ballast with 54 off 50. Their stand carried Pakistan well past 100 and ultimately to a competitive 177/4 — a total that might have tested most opponents.
Against Athapaththu in this form, however, it proved insufficient. Sri Lanka's paciest bowler in the closing overs was Kawya Kavindi, who returned figures of 1-13.
What Comes Next
Sri Lanka now advance to the gold-medal final, where they will contest the Asian Games women's cricket title. Pakistan, meanwhile, drop into the bronze-medal playoff, to be played on Tuesday against the loser of the second semifinal between India and Bangladesh, which was underway at the time of this result. The India-Bangladesh outcome will determine who Pakistan face for the bronze.
Brief Scores: Pakistan 177/4 in 20 overs (Ayesha Zafar 71, Shawaal Zulfiqar 54; Kawya Kavindi 1-13, Chamari Athapaththu 1-30) lost to Sri Lanka 178/2 in 17.5 overs (Chamari Athapaththu 83*, Hasini Perera 42; Fatima Sana 1-24, Nashra Sandhu 1-38) by eight wickets.
Point of View
And she refused to give them any after Dulani's early exit. The 95-run partnership with Perera was the kill shot, turning a chase into a procession. What this result also underlines is the fragility at the top of Pakistan's batting: losing Gull Feroza first ball placed enormous pressure on Zafar and Zulfiqar, who responded admirably but could not manufacture a defendable total without a full team contribution. With India or Bangladesh next in the gold-medal picture, Sri Lanka — and Athapaththu specifically — arrive as the form side.
NationPress
20 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Sri Lanka vs Pakistan women's cricket semifinal at the Asian Games?
Sri Lanka Women won by eight wickets, chasing down Pakistan's 177/4 in just 17.5 overs at Korogi Sports Park, Nisshin on Sunday. Chamari Athapaththu's unbeaten 83 off 50 balls was the centrepiece of the chase.
What did Chamari Athapaththu score against Pakistan?
Chamari Athapaththu scored an unbeaten 83 off 50 deliveries, hitting seven fours and six sixes. She remained not out throughout the chase and shared a 95-run second-wicket stand with Hasini Perera.
Who were Pakistan's top scorers against Sri Lanka?
Ayesha Zafar top-scored for Pakistan with 71 off 40 balls, including nine fours and two sixes, while Shawaal Zulfiqar contributed 54 off 50. Their partnership rescued Pakistan after Gull Feroza was dismissed on the first ball.
Who will Sri Lanka face in the Asian Games women's cricket final?
Sri Lanka have qualified for the gold-medal final, where they will face the winner of the second semifinal between India and Bangladesh. That match was still in progress at the time of Sri Lanka's win.
What happens to Pakistan after this loss?
Pakistan will contest the bronze-medal playoff on Tuesday against the loser of the India vs Bangladesh semifinal. They miss out on a chance to win the gold medal but can still finish third at the Asian Games.
