Fatima Sana’s all-round effort was not enough as defending champions Sri Lanka defeated Pakistan by four wickets in the second semi-final of the ACC Women’s Asia Cup in Dubai on Friday to set up a repeat of last year’s final against India.

Fatima top-scored with an unbeaten 36-ball 47, including four fours and two sixes, to help Pakistan post 130 for five. She then returned figures of 3.4-0-38-4, but lacked support as Sri Lanka completed the chase with seven balls to spare.

Pakistan made a cautious start, reaching 33 for two in the Powerplay, and took 17.3 overs to bring up 100. They accelerated late, scoring 30 runs from the final 15 balls, with Fatima providing the impetus.

Shawaal Zulfiqar scored 24 and Gull Feroza made 21, while the biggest partnership came for the fifth wicket as Fatima and Gull added 40 from 38 balls. Fatima then remained unbeaten alongside Tuba Hassan, who made 12 not out, as they added 38 from 24 balls for the sixth wicket.

Sri Lanka, however, made a strong start to the chase before Pakistan struck four times to reduce them to 33 for four after 6.2 overs.

Harshitha Samarawickrama and Kavisha Dilhari then turned the match in Sri Lanka’s favour, adding 67 from 59 balls for the fifth wicket. Harshitha made 36, while Dilhari scored 33 to steady the innings and put Sri Lanka back on course.

Nilakshika Silva, unbeaten on 18, and Kaushini Nuthyangana, unbeaten on 10, finished the chase in style, adding an unbroken 25 for the seventh wicket from just 12 balls to seal victory with seven deliveries remaining.

Sri Lanka will face India in Sunday’s final, a repeat of the previous edition’s title clash.

Scores in brief

Pakistan 130-5, 20 overs (Fatima Sana 47 not out, Shawaal Zulfiqar 24, Gull Feroza 21, Tuba Hassan 12 not out; Chamari Athapaththu 2-24, Chamudi Praboda 2-25)

Sri Lanka 132-6, 18.5 overs (Harshitha Samarawickrama 36, Kavisha Dilhari 33, Imesha Dulani 22; Fatima Sana 4-36)

Player of the match – Fatima Sana (Pakistan)

ACC Women’s Asia Cup 2026 results

Match 1 (Group A) — Thailand beat Hong Kong by six runs

Match 2 (Group B) — Sri Lanka beat UAE by nine wickets

Match 3 (Group A) — India beat Thailand by 94 runs

Match 4 (Group B) — Bangladesh beat Indonesia by 71 runs

Match 5 (Group A) — Pakistan beat Thailand by 35 runs

Match 6 (Group B) — Sri Lanka beat Indonesia by 75 runs

Match 7 (Group A) — India beat Hong Kong by 137 runs

Match 8 (Group B) — UAE beat Indonesia by six wickets

Match 9 (Group A) — India beat Pakistan by seven wickets

Match 10 (Group B) — Sri Lanka beat Bangladesh by four wickets

Match 11 (Group A) — Pakistan beat Hong Kong by 72 runs

Match 12 (Group B) – Bangladesh beat UAE by 34 runs

Match 13 (1st semi-final) – India beat Bangladesh by 40 runs