Sri Lanka chased down Pakistan’s 178-run target in 17.5 overs, with 13 balls to spare, securing their place in Tuesday’s gold-medal match. Pakistan will now compete for bronze.
Athapaththu led the chase with an unbeaten 83 from 50 balls, hitting seven fours and six sixes at a strike rate of 166.
She put Sri Lanka in control alongside Hasini Perera, who scored 42 from 26 balls with three fours and three sixes. The pair added 95 runs from 56 deliveries for the second wicket.
Imesha Dulani also contributed 27 from 21 balls before being dismissed by Pakistan captain Fatima Sana. Perera was then removed by Nashra Sandhu, caught by Umm-e-Hani.
Athapaththu remained unbeaten as Harshitha Samarawickrama joined her and scored 17 from 12 balls, including two fours, to complete the chase.
Earlier, Pakistan posted 177-4 in their allotted 20 overs after Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to field.
Ayesha Zafar top-scored with 71 from 40 balls, including nine fours and two sixes, while Shawaal Zulfiqar made 54 from 50 deliveries. The pair added 115 runs for the third wicket, Pakistan’s highest third-wicket partnership in the format. Fatima Sana remained unbeaten on 20 from 12 balls.
Sri Lanka’s victory sends them into the gold-medal match against the winner of the second semi-final between India and Bangladesh. Pakistan will face the losing side in the bronze-medal match on September 22.
The result also gives Sri Lanka another victory over Pakistan after their four-wicket win in the Women’s Asia Cup semi-final in Dubai earlier this month.
