So after nine 9 days, we get to the finalists of Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2024 – Hosts Sri Lanka vs India – who will slug it out against each other on July 28, 2024 for the ultimate prize. Harmanpreet Kaur-led Indian Women Team has been unbeatable, including a massive 10-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the semi-final 1.
Hosts Sri Lanka have had the same run as India by beating every opponent that came their way. The win over Pakistan in the semi-final 2 raises the Chamari Atthapatthu-led Sri Lankan outfit’s confidence to a new level.
Now as two teams prepare for the mega clash of Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2024 Final, let’s take a close look at their performances in the semi-final.
India Beat Bangladesh Fair and Square by 10 Wickets
Bangladesh Women’s Team Captain Nigar Sultana won the toss and chose to bat on a good batting surface. But much to the utter dismay of Bangladesh, Renuka Singh struck in the very first over of the game by getting rid of Dilara Akter. She was holed out in the deep mid-wicket fielder Uma Chettry. In a bid to attempt the previous shot that fetched Dilara six, she went for a cross-bat heave that gained height, not the distance. Uma took a good catch.
Renuka continued her good form by picking two more scalps of Ishma Tanzim and Murshida Khatun. After that, it was the turn of Radha Yadav, Pooja Vastrakar and Deepti Sharma to wreak havoc in the Bangladeshi batting line-up. While Radha took three wickets, Pooja and Deepti snared one wicket each. Bangladesh were restricted to a paltry 80 for 8 at the end of 20 overs.
Indian openers chased down the total in no time buoyed by a superb half-century from Smriti Mandhana who struck 55 off 39 balls, smashing nine fours and a six. Her opening partner Shafali Verma was rather circumspect today by scoring 26 off 28 balls, hitting two fours. India completed the chase in 11 overs with all 10 wickets intact.
Player of the Match – Renuka Singh
SL Beat Pak in a Tense Semi-final 2 of Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2024
It was the contest between the evens – Sri Lanka and Pakistan. Sri Lanka Skipper Chamari Athapaththu won the toss and elected to bowl against Pakistan. The Nida Dar-Pakistan team put on 140 for 4 in 20 overs. The opening duo of Gull Feroza and Muneeba Ali shared an opening stand of 61 runs in 9.1 overs. Prabodhani got rid of both Gull and Muneeba in the same over. Kavisha Dilhari took the wicket of Ameen and Nida Dar to leave Pakistan reeling at 99 for 4 at the end of 14.5 overs. Aliya Riaz and Fatima Sana added unbeaten 41 runs for the fifth wicket to take Pakistan to 140 for 4.
Sri Lanka Off to a Disastrous Start
Sadia Iqbal struck in her first over by dismissing Vishnu Gunaratne leg before wicket. Soon SL lose another as Omaima Sohail took the wicket of Harshitha Samarawickrama to leave the islanders struggling at 19 for 2 at the end of four overs.
Then came the assurance for Sri Lanka as captain Chamari Athapaththu and Kavisha Dilhari shared a 59-run partnership for the third wicket before Sadia struck twice in one over to leave Sri Lanka struggling again at 78 for 4. Sadia first dismissed Kavisha by bowling on to the wicket that bounced extra to take an outside edge snapped up by the fielder at point. A couple of balls later, Sadia took the catch of Nilakshi de Silva on her follow through.
As the asking rate was climbing in the second semi-final of the Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2024, both Chamari and Anushka went offensive by smashing boundaries. Just as Sri Lanka got near the Pakistan’s total, came the twist. Pakistan took two quick wickets of Chamari and Hasni Perera before Anushka Sanjeewani and Sugandika Kumari stitched a crucial 15-run partnership. Nida Dar bowled Sugandika in the final over to make Women’s T20 Asia Cup Semi-final 2 even more nervy. However, SL held their nerve to win the semi-final encounter against Pakistan by three wickets.
Wrapping Up
Both India and Sri Lanka have had a fantastic run in Women’s T20 Asia Cup so far. It now boils down to the Final drama. We at zarooribaathai. wishes both teams best of luck. For more insights on sports, personal finance, beauty, health, women empowerment and economy, do zarooribaathai.in.
