Chamari Athapaththu's unbeaten 83 powers Sri Lanka into Asian Games final

Sri Lanka produced a commanding run chase as captain Chamari Athapaththu smashed an unbeaten 83 off 50 balls to guide her side into the final of the Asian Games Women's Cricket Competition.

Athapaththu struck six sixes and several boundaries in a sensational late assault as Sri Lanka chased down Pakistan's target of 178 with ease. The victory saw Sri Lanka equal their highest-ever successful T20I chase.

Pakistan, after being asked to bat first, posted 177, their highest T20I total against Sri Lanka. Shawaal Zulfiqar scored a patient 54 off 50 balls, while Ayesha Zafar provided the acceleration with a blistering 71 from just 40 deliveries.

Zulfiqar and Zafar added 115 runs for the third wicket from 70 balls, although Zafar was responsible for most of the attacking strokeplay. Her innings included nine fours and two sixes and gave Pakistan a strong platform.

Sri Lanka's chase began positively through Imesha Dulani, who struck five boundaries during her 21-ball 27. Athapaththu, however, was initially subdued, reaching only seven runs from 12 balls by the end of the powerplay.

The Sri Lankan captain then dramatically changed the momentum in the eighth over. She attacked Momina Riasat, smashing the spinner for 6, 4, 6 and 4 in a 20-run over.

Athapaththu was fortunate to survive on 18 when Fatima Sana appeared to have caught her at deep midwicket, only for the fielder to step on the boundary while attempting to throw the ball back into play.

The reprieve proved costly for Pakistan. Athapaththu continued her assault against the left-arm spin, taking two fours and a six off Nashra Sandhu in the 10th over to bring Sri Lanka's required rate under control.

Hasini Perera then joined the attack, hitting Tuba Hassan for two sixes and a four in the 13th over. Her aggressive 42 from 26 balls helped Sri Lanka build a crucial 95-run partnership with Athapaththu from just 56 deliveries.

Perera was dismissed at the end of the 14th over with Sri Lanka still requiring 47 runs from 36 balls. But the chase was effectively under control, with Athapaththu and Harshitha Samarawickrama needing only 23 deliveries to complete the victory.

Athapaththu remained unbeaten on 83, finishing a remarkable individual performance that combined early patience with explosive hitting in the middle and final stages of the chase.

Sri Lanka's victory booked their place in the final, while Pakistan were left to rue missed opportunities and a total that ultimately proved insufficient despite strong contributions from Zafar and Zulfiqar.