Sri Lanka Beats Malaysia, Advances to Face Pakistan in Asian Games Semi-Final

The quarter‑final of the women's cricket tournament at the 2026 Asian Games saw Sri Lanka overpower Malaysia by 86 runs, securing a place in the semi‑finals. Opting to bat first after winning the toss at Korogi Sports Park, Sri Lanka posted 160 for 4 in the full 20 overs. Captain Chamari Athapaththu’s aggressive 63 off 37 balls, which included three sixes and seven fours, set the tone. Kavisha Dilhari’s unbeaten 44, Harshitha Samarawickrama’s quick 25, and Hasini Perera’s 23 rounded out the innings.

Malaysia’s innings struggled against disciplined Sri Lankan bowling. Nurin Imanina took three wickets for 29 runs in just four overs, but the chase collapsed at 74 for 7 after 20 overs. Vinifred Duraisingham contributed 28 runs, while Mahira Izzati Ismail added 24, with the rest of the lineup unable to pass ten runs. Sri Lanka’s bowlers—Mithali Ayodhya, Kavisha Dilhari, and captain Athapaththu—each claimed two wickets, sealing the comprehensive win.

The semi‑final will pit Sri Lanka against Pakistan on September 20. Pakistan earned their spot after a narrow victory over Thailand, where they chased down 92 runs with seven wickets lost, winning two balls early. The upcoming match promises high stakes and intense competition, echoing their recent Asia Cup semi‑final meeting where Sri Lanka emerged victorious.