Sri Lanka scramble into Asia Cup final in much anticipated clash with India. Athapaththu leads from the front in nail biting win over Pakistan. – BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE.
Sri Lanka scampered into the final of the Asia Cup after a pulsating 3 -wicket semi- final win against Pakistan in Dambulla.
The feisty Lankans who have hit a rich vein of success recently, rammed home their winning culture to snatch a nail biting victory with a ball to spare.
But the win over the highly rated Pakistanis did not come easy after Pakistan set them a competitive 140 for victory then grabbed two quick wickets to send tremors through the Sri Lankan camp.
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Opener Vishmi Gunaratne departed in the second ball of the innings for a duck and soon it was 2 for 19 when Harshita Samarawickrema departed for 12 when Sri Lanka’s skipper turned adversity to a personal challenge.
In a now familiar scenario when the chips are down, skipper Chamari Athapaththu leapt to the fore with a defiant yet controlled aggressive knock to take her team within sight of victory.
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Athapaththu’s gallant effort saw her smash 63 off 48 balls with a six and 9 fours in a Player-of-the-match performance that is now too familiar for Sri Lanka.
In group A, India cruised into the final with an effortless win over Bangladesh in their semi final to set up the highly anticipated final against the host country.
Set a mediocre 80 for victory, India had little difficulty getting to the target in just 11 overs.
Smirti Mandhana smacked 55 not out off 39 balls with 1 six and 9 fours and Shafali Verma 26 to make light work of the target.
The Indians have not been troubled so far and go in favourites to win another Asia Cup. But they need to be wary of the new look Sri Lanka team that is now demanding respect from the best.
With wins over New Zealand, South Africa and England away from home, the Sri Lankans are beginning to gain recognition and respect. So India will need to be at their best to maintain their reputation as one of the best in the women’s game.
It all points to a worthy final with the huge crowds that have continued to show up to witness their local heroes and egging them on to what could be a memorable victory .
A win over the Indians will surely make the hard work of the coaching staff under Rumesh Ratnayake and his team reap dividends for their tireless direction and remarkable efforts to lift them to their current status.
