Pakistan will face Sri Lanka in the Women’s Asian Games cricket semi-final on Sunday after Sri Lanka defeated Malaysia by 86 runs on Friday.

The semi-final will give Pakistan an opportunity to avenge their recent defeats against Sri Lanka, who beat them 2-1 in a bilateral series before knocking them out in the semi-final of the ACC Women’s Asia Cup.

There is little to separate the two sides head-to-head, with Pakistan and Sri Lanka tied at 12 wins apiece from 25 matches.

Pakistan had a narrow escape against Thailand in Thursday’s quarter-final. Chasing 92 for victory in 11 overs, Pakistan were in dire straits at 48 for four after seven overs before plundering 25 runs from the eighth over, with captain Fatima Sana scoring 21 of them.

They then collected 12 runs from the penultimate over, with Tuba Hassan hitting a four and a six, before completing a three-wicket victory with two balls to spare.

In contrast, Sri Lanka cruised into the last four after posting 160 for four against Malaysia, with Chamari Athapaththu scoring 63, before restricting Malaysia to 74 for seven. Athapaththu also claimed two wickets for three runs, while Kavisha Dilhari picked up two for four.

The other semi-final will be between India and Bangladesh.

Bangladesh progressed to the last four as the higher-seeded side after their quarter-final against China was abandoned without a ball being bowled on Thursday. India, meanwhile, defeated Japan by eight wickets on Friday.

Shree Charani took four for 10 and Shafali Verma claimed two for 13 as Japan were bowled out for 57 in 19.5 overs. India raced to the target for the loss of two wickets in five overs, with Verma smashing an unbeaten 40 from just 15 balls.

Pakistan won Asian Games gold medals in 2010 and 2014 but finished fourth in 2022, while India are the defending champions. Sri Lanka claimed silver at the previous Games.