Skipper Chamari Athapaththu’s diligent fifty propelled Sri Lanka to a thrilling three-wicket win over Pakistan in the second semifinal of the women’s Asia Cup in Dambulla on Friday, setting up the title clash against India. In the first semifinal earlier, defending champions India had beaten Bangladesh by 10 wickets. The final will be played on Sunday. Athapaththu, who is the highest run-getter in the event with 223 runs, single-handedly guided the Lankans close to the target of 141, making a well-paced 63 off 48 balls (9×4, 1×6).

Her fifty and Anushka Sanjeevani’s unbeaten 24 (22b, 1×4, 1×6) helped Lanka to reach 141 for 7 in 19.5 overs.

Kalisha Dilhari (17, 18 balls) helped Athapaththu milk 61 runs for the third wicket that gave Lanka a firm hold on the match.

Pakistan stayed in the fight through a brilliant spell by experienced left-arm spinner Sadia Iqbal (4/16 off 4 overs) but she did not have much support from the other end as the hosts stumbled across the line.

Earlier, Pakistan relied on handy knocks by Muneeba Ali (37), Gull Feroza (25), skipper Nida Dar (23) and Fatima Sana (23 not out) to make 140 for four.

All of them got the starts but none of them converted it into a bigger score as Pakistan ended up with what eventually proved to be a total that was slightly below par.

Sri Lanka and Bangladesh produced superlative performances to secure victories over Malaysia and Thailand in group B and inch closer to the semifinal berth at the Women’s Asia Cup T20 tournament in Dambulla on Monday. While hosts Sri Lanka thrashed Malaysia by a massive 114 runs, Bangladesh outwitted Thailand by seven wickets later in the day. With four points each, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh occupy the top two spots. Chamari Athapaththu was the architect of Sri Lanka’s dominating win as she smashed a 69-ball 119 not out, studded with 14 boundaries and seven sixes to single-handedly power the team to a daunting 184 for 4 after opting to bat.

Harshitha Madavi (26) and Anushka Sanjeewani (31) also chipped in with useful contributions.

The bowlers then joined the party as Shashini Gimhani (3/9), Kawya Kavindi (2/7) and Kavisha Dilhari (2/4) produced incredible figures to bundle Malaysia out for just 40 in 19.5 overs.

Inoshi Priyadharshani (1/10), Sachini Nisansala (1/4) and Ama Kanchana (1/5) also snapped a wicket each.

For Malaysia, only Elsa Hunter could reach double-digit figures, making 10 in 11 balls. Aina Najwa scored 9 after facing 43 balls, which was the reason that Malaysia could last that many overs.

In the second match of the day, Thailand cut a sorry figure as they could manage just 96 for 9 in their stipulated 20 overs, courtesy a 41-ball 40 by opener Nattaya Boochatham after deciding to take first strike.

Rabeya Khan was the most successful bowler as she returned with four wickets for 14 runs, while Sabikun Nahar (2/28) and Ritu Moni (2/10) took two wickets each to break the back of their opponents.

Chasing 97 for a win, Murshida Khatun made 50 off 55 balls as Bangladesh romped home, scoring 100 for 3 in 17.3 overs.

Dilara Akter (17) was run out in the fifth over but Khatun and Ishma Tanjim (16) shared 60 runs to steady the chase.