The Women’s Asia Cup final on Sunday will see a clash between India and Sri Lanka, mirroring the final of the previous edition. The team led by Chamari Athapaththu reached the final after defeating Pakistan by four wickets in the second semi-final held at the Dubai International Stadium on Friday. Sri Lanka now has the opportunity to defend its title, while India will aim to reclaim the crown they lost last time.
The semi-final between Sri Lanka and Pakistan was a thrilling contest, with Sri Lanka ultimately securing victory with four wickets and eight balls to spare. Earlier, India had booked their spot in the all-important final by defeating Bangladesh by 40 runs in the first semi-final.
Chasing a target of 131 runs, Sri Lanka got off to a disastrous start; Pakistan captain Fatima Sana dismissed Sri Lankan skipper Chamari Athapaththu (5) and Sanjana Kavindi (0) on consecutive deliveries in the second over. Pakistan further tightened their grip on the match as Umm-e-Hani and Sadia Iqbal continued to take wickets, reducing Sri Lanka to 33/4.
However, Harshitha Samarawickrama and Kavisha Dilhari brought Sri Lanka back into the contest, displaying a perfect blend of caution and aggression. The duo added 67 runs for the fifth wicket, but just as Sri Lanka began to dominate, Pakistan staged a comeback. Captain Sana dismissed both set batters, Samarawickrama (36) and Dilhari (33), in the 17th over, leaving the equation at 22 runs needed off 18 balls with four wickets in hand. The game took another dramatic turn.
Kaushani Nuthyangana and Nilakshika Silva hammered Iqbal and Sana in the final two overs, ultimately securing a victory for Sri Lanka with four wickets and a few balls to spare. Pakistan lost their grip on the game and conceded the match easily. Sana was single-handedly carrying the team, but a no-ball bowled in the penultimate over proved decisive for Sri Lanka.
Women’s Asia Cup 2026 Final: Schedule
| Women’s Asia Cup final | India vs Sri Lanka |
| Location | Dubai International Stadium, Dubai, United Arab Emirates |
| Time | Sunday, September 13, 6:30 PM local time (14:30 GMT) |
In the final match of the 15-match tournament being played in the United Arab Emirates, seven-time champions India will face defending champions Sri Lanka on Sunday. This match is the final of the Women’s T20 Asia Cup.
