The Women’s Asia Cup 2026 is set for another important knockout contest as Pakistan Women take on Sri Lanka Women in the 2nd Semi-Final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai, on Friday, September 11, 2026. The match is scheduled to begin at 8:00 PM IST, with the winning team earning a place in the final. Both teams have reached the last four after their group-stage campaigns and will now be aiming to take one more step towards the title. With no second chance available in the semi-final, Pakistan and Sri Lanka will need to handle the pressure and make the most of their opportunities throughout the game.
Pakistan will enter the contest after winning two of their three group matches in the tournament, including a 72-run victory over Hong Kong in their most recent game. They also defeated Thailand by 35 runs, while their other group match ended in a seven-wicket defeat against India. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, won all three of their group games against the UAE, Indonesia and Bangladesh, giving them a strong run heading into the knockout stage. However, this semi-final will be a fresh challenge for both teams, with a place in the final now at stake. The side that performs better under pressure will move one step closer to lifting the Women’s Asia Cup trophy.
Squads:
Pakistan Women’s Cricket Team
Fatima Sana (C), Ayesha Zafar, Eman Naseer, Eyman Fatima, Gull Feroza, Momina Riasat, Muneeba Ali, Nashra Sandhu, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Saira Jabeen, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Tuba Hassan, Umm-e-Hani, Waheeda Akhtar
Sri Lanka Women’s Cricket Team
Chamari Athapaththu (C), Harshitha Samarawickrama, Mithali Ayodhya, Kavisha Dilhari, Imesha Dulani, Vishmi Gunaratne, Kaushini Nuthyangana, Sanjana Kavindi, Kawya Kavindi, Sugandika Kumari, Nimasha Meepage, Hasini Perera, Chamudi Praboda, Nilakshika Silva, Chethana Vimukthi
Players to watch out:
Muneeba Ali
Muneeba Ali will be one of the important batters for Pakistan in this semi-final and could have a key role at the top of the order. She has scored 248 runs in 10 matches, with a batting average of 24.8 and a strike rate of 116.43. Her ability to provide runs in the opening stages can help Pakistan build a good platform before the middle overs. Against a strong Sri Lankan bowling attack, Muneeba will need to find the right balance between attacking shots and building her innings. If she can stay at the crease and put together a useful score, Pakistan could get a strong start in this important knockout match.
Nashra Sandhu
Nashra Sandhu has been among Pakistan’s reliable wicket-takers and will be an important part of their bowling plans against Sri Lanka. She has taken 15 wickets in 10 matches, while maintaining an economy rate of 5.3 and a bowling strike rate of 14.26. Her ability to pick up wickets while keeping the opposition’s scoring under control could be particularly useful in a semi-final. Sri Lanka have several experienced batters, so Pakistan will need bowlers who can break partnerships at the right time. Nashra’s wicket-taking ability could therefore have a big impact on Pakistan’s chances in the contest.
Chamari Athapaththu
Chamari Athapaththu remains one of Sri Lanka’s biggest match-winning options with both bat and ball. She has scored 339 runs in 10 matches, with an average of 42.38 and a strike rate of 159.9. She has also taken 15 wickets in 10 matches, with an economy rate of 5.97 and a bowling strike rate of 13.8. Her ability to contribute in more than one department gives Sri Lanka an important option in a high-pressure game. If Athapaththu gets going with the bat or makes an early impact with the ball, she could play a major role in helping Sri Lanka reach the final.
Kavisha Dilhari
Kavisha Dilhari will also be an important player for Sri Lanka, particularly with her recent numbers with the ball. She has picked up 13 wickets in 10 matches, while her economy rate stands at 5.94 and her bowling strike rate is 16.61. Her control can help Sri Lanka put pressure on Pakistan’s batters and restrict the flow of runs during important stages. Pakistan will need to be careful when facing her, especially while trying to build partnerships in the middle overs. A few timely wickets from Dilhari could make a big difference in a match where every breakthrough will matter.
Pitch:
The Dubai International Cricket Stadium can give fast bowlers some help at the start of an innings, especially while the new ball is still hard. Batters may therefore need to avoid taking unnecessary risks early and first get a feel for how the pitch is behaving. The pace and bounce may not be easy to judge immediately, but batting can become more comfortable once players spend some time at the crease. As the match moves forward, the surface can become slower and bring spin more into the game.
Weather:
The weather in Dubai is expected to remain clear around the match timings. At the 8:00 PM start time, the temperature should be around 31°C, with a 0% chance of precipitation. Conditions are expected to remain clear at 9:00 PM, with the temperature staying close to 31°C and no rain predicted during the match window.
Fantasy Playing XI:
Chamari Athapaththu, Muneeba Ali, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Fatima Sana, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Gull Feroza, Nashra Sandhu, Sadia Iqbal, Kavisha Dilhari, Sugandika Kumari, Saira Jabeen
Match Details:
Date – September 11, 2026
Time – 8:00 PM IST
Venue – Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai
Broadcast – All matches of the 2026 Women’s Asia Cup will be broadcast live on Sony Sports Network. Fans can also watch the tournament through the Sony LIV app and website.
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