Women’s Asia Cup 2022: Sri Lanka cricketers joyfully dance after winning nail-biting semi-final against Pakistan
The Sri Lanka cricketers were absolutely cock-a-hoop after their team advanced to the final of the Women’s Asia Cup.
The team, captained by Chamari Athapaththu, defeated Bismah Maroof’s Pakistan by one run in the semi-final on Thursday, October 13 at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.
The match went right down to the wire, but Sri Lanka held their nerve to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. The Sri Lankans are now set to face Harmanpreet Kaur’s India in the final on Saturday, October 15.
After their victory in the semis, a video has gone viral where the Sri Lankan players can be seen dancing joyfully. The players shook their legs with expertise and looked absolutely thrilled.
The match in Sylhet wasn’t a high-scoring affair by any stretch of the imagination. After opting to bat first, Sri Lanka could only post 122 for the loss of six wickets on the board.
Harshitha Samarawickrama was their standout batter, having scored 35 runs off 41 balls with one four. However, it was Anushka Sanjeewani who gave Sri Lanka momentum with a 21-ball knock of 26.
Samarawickrama, in the meantime, also stitched together a handy 50-run stand with Nilakshi de Silva. Left-arm spinner Nashra Sandhu was the pick of the bowlers for Pakistan as she finished with figures of 4-0-17-3.
Sadia Iqbal, veteran Nida Dar and Aiman Anwar picked up one wicket apiece. Omaima Sohail didn’t get a wicket, but conceded only 14 runs in her quota of four overs.
Pakistan got off to a brisk start to their run-chase after left-hander Muneeba Ali hit three fours on her way to a 10-ball 18. However, Sidra Ameen failed to get going and got out for nine.
Bismah Maroof and Sohail put on 42 runs for the third wicket to take Pakistan closer to victory. The left-handed Bismah scored 42 useful runs off 41 balls before Sugandika Kumari accounted for her wicket.
Nida Dar made a run-a-ball 26, but her efforts went in vain. With nine runs to win off the last over, Pakistan failed to get past the finishing line.