END OF OVER:20 | 7 Runs 1 Wkt | PAK-W: 121/6 (2 runs required, RR: 6.05)
- Aliya Riaz2 (5b)
- Achini Kulasuriya4-0-22-0
- Inoka Ranaweera4-1-17-2
India vs Sri Lanka on Saturday - the final of this year's Asia Cup. Their men did it just last month, and the women have an opportunity to replicate that. A brilliant semi-final sets the tone for what should be an equally exciting title game, and until then, it is goodbye from Ranjith, Suds and me, Himanshu!
Inoka Ranaweera is the Player of the Match and Athapaththu is the translator: "Really happy, and want to share her award with Achini [Kulasuriya]. When we started, we trusted each and every one. We didn't have big names."
Chamari Athapaththu comes smiling: "Bit of pressure in the middle, but I trust my bowlers! We changed the batting order, but we are happy with this win. After 14 years, we are in the Asia Cup final. We are happy! Wicket was really good, and in the first six overs they batted really well. We knew it won't be easy after that, so we stuck with our plans in the middle overs. Kavisha is very young, but plays very good cricket at times!"
Bismah Maroof speaks first: "It was a very good match. Everybody enjoyed watching it. It was a very good wicket. We controlled well in the middle [overs], but we gave some lose balls as well. We didn't bat well in the end. Their bowlers bowled well as well. It was a very clinical performance from all who played [in this tournament]. Very proud of the game after they came back from the Thailand match."
So Sri Lanka meet India in the final, but before that, here comes the presentation.
Sharat Verma: "Thankfully the the last ball wide missed by the umpire in the Sri Lankan innings didn't come into the equation!"
George: "Pakistan!!!! How on earth????"
4.32pm Sri Lanka get into a huddle, and rejoice in the moment; Maroof and co look shattered. A terrific game of cricket, which kept swinging from one way to the other throughout the run chase. Muneeba came out as if in the mood to hunt this down as early as possible, and it was her wicket that allowed Sri Lanka to claw back. A combined bowling show by Sri Lanka, and overall, a thriller where all three results were possible until the last ball.
Nida Dar run out 26 (41m 26b 1x4 0x6) SR: 100.00
3 from 1...
4 off 2
By the way, Sri Lanka have been penalised for slow over rate, and so have only three fielders outside the circle
Vinod Rajpal: "Super Over... anyone ?"
9 off 7. Who is supporting whom? Achini has the ball.
NK: "Riveting!"
END OF OVER:19 | 4 Runs 1 Wkt | PAK-W: 114/5 (9 runs required from 6 balls, RR: 6.00, RRR: 9.00)
- Aliya Riaz2 (3b)
- Nida Dar21 (22b)
- Inoka Ranaweera4-1-17-2
- Sugandika Kumari4-0-26-1
Here comes Riaz
Ayesha Naseem c Dilhari b Ranaweera 2 (3m 4b 0x4 0x6) SR: 50.00
13 off 12. Inoka will finish off.
Adarsh: "Never a dull moment in Pakistan cricket, whether it be men's or women's"
END OF OVER:18 | 5 Runs 1 Wkt | PAK-W: 110/4 (13 runs required from 12 balls, RR: 6.11, RRR: 6.50)
- Ayesha Naseem2 (3b)
- Nida Dar19 (20b)
- Sugandika Kumari4-0-26-1
- Inoka Ranaweera3-1-13-1
This could be a very crucial delivery in the context of the game
Naseem the new batter in
Sharat Verma: "Would the last ball wide missed by the umpire in the Sri Lankan innings be sorely missed?" --- We'll know soon...
Bismah Maroof b Kumari 42 (62m 41b 4x4 0x6) SR: 102.43
Cover in, mid-on out
Sugandika into her last. Around the wicket
Anyone wants drama from here? A run-a-ball 18 to get.
END OF OVER:17 | 5 Runs | PAK-W: 105/3 (18 runs required from 18 balls, RR: 6.17, RRR: 6.00)
- Bismah Maroof40 (39b)
- Nida Dar18 (19b)
- Inoka Ranaweera3-1-13-1
- Kavisha Dilhari4-0-26-1
Inoka returns from around the wicket
23 to win off 24. Seven wickets intact, so Pakistan's game to lose from here.