Pakistan Women played Sri Lanka Women in a knockout match in the Women's Asia Cup 2026, and Sri Lanka won by four wickets to reach the final. New fans can explore our beginner cricket competition guides to understand how tournament stages work.
The semifinal was also a rematch of a close game from the 2024 Women's Asia Cup. This guide gives you the confirmed date, USA start times, venue, viewing details, recent form, and key matchups, plus what actually happened on the day.
If the tournament itself is new to you, our simple Asia Cup guide explains the difference between regional and global cricket events.
Quick Answer
Sri Lanka Women played Pakistan Women in Semi-Final 2 on Friday, September 11, 2026, and won by four wickets. The match started at 6:30 PM in Dubai and 7:30 PM in Pakistan, which is 10:30 AM Eastern, 9:30 AM Central, 8:30 AM Mountain, and 7:30 AM Pacific in the United States.
The match was played at Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Sri Lanka went in after winning all three group matches. Pakistan qualified by beating Thailand and Hong Kong, China. Sri Lanka advanced to play India in the final on September 13, and lost that match by 72 runs.
How the Semifinal Ended
Sri Lanka won by four wickets. Pakistan made 130 for 5 in their 20 overs, with Fatima Sana 47 not out and Shawaal Zulfiqar 24. Sri Lanka then reached 134 for 6 in 18.4 overs, with Harshitha Samarawickrama 36 and Kavisha Dilhari 33.
Sana took 4 for 38 and was named player of the match, even though Pakistan lost. Chamari Athapaththu took 2 for 24 and Chamudi Praboda 2 for 25. Pakistan lost both openers inside the powerplay and never really recovered, even though Sana and Zulfiqar pushed them to a total worth defending.
Sri Lanka reached the final with eight balls to spare, then lost the tournament final to India by 72 runs on September 13.
Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Semifinal Date, Time, and Venue
| Match detail | Confirmed information |
|---|---|
| Match | Sri Lanka Women vs Pakistan Women |
| Tournament stage | Semi-Final 2, a knockout match |
| Date | Friday, September 11, 2026 |
| Venue | Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai |
| Dubai time | 6:30 PM |
| Pakistan time | 7:30 PM PKT |
| USA Eastern time | 10:30 AM ET |
| USA Central time | 9:30 AM CT |
| USA Mountain time | 8:30 AM MT |
| USA Pacific time | 7:30 AM PT |
| What was at stake? | A place in the final on September 13, which Sri Lanka won |
The official Asian Cricket Council match page confirms the teams, date, and Dubai venue. The Pakistan Cricket Board schedule lists all matches at 7:30 PM Pakistan time.
The USA times above are conversions from the confirmed 2:30 PM UTC start, and the match began on schedule.
How Did Pakistan Reach the Semifinal?
Pakistan finished second in Group A. It beat Thailand by 35 runs, lost to India by seven wickets, and then defeated Hong Kong, China by 72 runs.
The final group game showed why Pakistan's bowling can change a match quickly. Pakistan scored 143/8 before dismissing Hong Kong, China for 71. Shawaal Zulfiqar top-scored with 47 from 35 balls.
Nashra Sundhu then took 6/7. These figures mean she dismissed six batters while conceding only seven runs. It was the first six-wicket haul by a Pakistan player in Women's T20 internationals, according to the official ICC match report.
Pakistan's tournament has not been smooth. The team was bowled out for 55 against India after losing six wickets for eight runs. Our analysis of Pakistan's batting collapse against India explains why strike rotation and partnerships became major concerns.
How Did Sri Lanka Reach the Semifinal?
Sri Lanka won Group B after beating the UAE, Indonesia, and Bangladesh. The defending champions reached the knockout stage with three wins from three matches.
Chamari Athapaththu made 48 not out as Sri Lanka chased 80 against the UAE in only 7.5 overs. She then produced a remarkable bowling display against Indonesia, taking 7/5 with a hat-trick.
Sri Lanka faced its biggest group-stage test against Bangladesh. The chase looked difficult at 44/5, but Harshitha Samarawickrama stayed calm and finished on 48 not out. Sri Lanka won by four wickets with four balls remaining.
Those results show that Sri Lanka can win in different ways. Its captain can attack, its spin bowlers can take control, and its middle order has already recovered from pressure.
Group-Stage Form at a Glance
| Team | Group record | Biggest strength shown | Main concern |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sri Lanka | 3 wins, 0 losses | Match-winning spin and successful chases | Fell to 44/5 against Bangladesh |
| Pakistan | 2 wins, 1 loss | Wicket-taking bowling, including Sundhu's 6/7 | Batting collapsed for 55 against India |
Sri Lanka has the stronger group record. Pakistan, however, has bowlers who can create a collapse. That makes the semifinal more balanced than the win-loss table may suggest.
Why This Semifinal Is a Major Rematch
Sri Lanka and Pakistan met at the same stage of the 2024 Women's Asia Cup. Pakistan made 140/4, but Sri Lanka reached 141/7 with one ball remaining.
Athapaththu scored 63 in that chase. Sadia Iqbal nearly won the match for Pakistan with 4/16. The PCB's official 2024 semifinal report records Sri Lanka's three-wicket victory.
The teams also played a three-match T20I series in Sri Lanka in July and August 2026. Sri Lanka won the first two matches by six wickets, while Pakistan won the final game by four wickets. Sri Lanka therefore won the series 2-1.
Recent results gave Sri Lanka confidence, but Pakistan had shown it could beat this opponent. As it turned out, one spell was not enough. Fatima Sana took 4 for 38, and Sri Lanka still chased the target down with eight balls to spare.
Five Key Battles in the Semifinal
1. Nashra Sundhu Against Sri Lanka's Middle Order
Sundhu went into the semifinal on the back of the best bowling figures by a Pakistan player in Women's T20Is, so Sri Lanka's batters had to read her left-arm spin carefully.
Her main value is not only taking wickets. Accurate spin can create dot balls, increase the required run rate, and force a batter into a risky shot.
2. Pakistan's Batters Against Sri Lanka's Spin
Pakistan struggled to keep the score moving against India's spinners. In the ICC's semifinal update, captain Fatima Sana said the team needed better strike rotation and more partnerships before facing Sri Lanka.
Strike rotation means taking safe singles and twos so that one batter does not face every ball. Our guide to cricket powerplay rules also explains why teams try to use the opening six overs before more fielders can move outside the inner circle.
3. Fatima Sana Against Chamari Athapaththu
Athapaththu is Sri Lanka's biggest attacking threat. She can score quickly in the powerplay and has already influenced this tournament with both bat and ball.
Fatima Sana is Pakistan's leading pace option and captain, and she delivered: 4 for 38 to be player of the match. Athapaththu stayed through the powerplay for Sri Lanka, so Pakistan had to attack for wickets instead of simply protecting the boundary.
4. Sadia Iqbal Against Sri Lanka's Right-Handed Batters
Sadia took four wickets in the 2024 semifinal. Her left-arm spin again gives Pakistan a possible matchup against Sri Lanka's right-handed batters.
Pakistan must support her with clean fielding. A missed catch or stumping can be costly in a knockout match because there is no second group game to repair the result.
5. Harshitha Samarawickrama Against Pakistan's Pressure Bowling
Harshitha showed against Bangladesh that she can rebuild an innings after early wickets. Pakistan may dismiss Athapaththu and still need a plan for Harshitha.
The key will be stopping easy singles. If Harshitha settles, she can move the score without taking the same risks as a power hitter.
What Pakistan Needed to Improve
Pakistan's bowling had produced two strong wins. The bigger question was whether the batting side could build a complete 20-over innings.
Three improvements mattered most:
- Keep rotating the strike against spin.
- Build one stable partnership after an early wicket.
- Avoid losing several wickets in the same two or three overs.
Pakistan does not need every batter to attack. A score can grow through singles, twos, and one boundary in an over. That approach becomes especially important on a surface where slower bowling is difficult to hit.
Why Sri Lanka Had the Edge
Sri Lanka went into the semifinal unbeaten. It also defeated Pakistan in the recent T20I series and in the 2024 Asia Cup semifinal.
That history gave Sri Lanka a form advantage, but it did not guarantee a win. The Bangladesh match showed that Sri Lanka's top order can also lose wickets quickly, and Pakistan's bowlers used that weakness.
The fairest assessment was that Sri Lanka had been more consistent, while Pakistan did have the bowling attack to create an upset. The middle overs decided it, because Pakistan could not recover from losing both openers inside the powerplay.
Where Can Fans Watch in the USA?
Willow TV's official women's cricket schedule lists Sri Lanka Women vs Pakistan Women on September 11 for viewers in the USA and Canada.
Willow says its North American coverage includes the Asia Cup. Coverage was available in the USA and Canada. Availability depends on your subscription or TV provider, so check the Willow schedule and your local listing.
Common Confusions About the Semifinal
Is this the Women's Asia Cup final?
No. It was Semi-Final 2. Sri Lanka won it and advanced to the final on September 13.
Did Pakistan finish above India in Group A?
No. India finished first in Group A, while Pakistan finished second. Sri Lanka won Group B.
Does the losing team get another chance?
No. A semifinal is a knockout match. The winner advances and the loser is eliminated from the tournament.
Is Sri Lanka certain to win because it is unbeaten?
No. An unbeaten record shows strong form, but it did not decide this match. Pakistan did show that its bowlers can take wickets in clusters, dismissing six of Sri Lanka's ten batters.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Pakistan vs Sri Lanka played in the Women's Asia Cup 2026 semifinal?
The match was played on Friday, September 11, 2026. Sri Lanka won by four wickets.
What time did Pakistan vs Sri Lanka start in the USA?
The start time was 10:30 AM Eastern, 9:30 AM Central, 8:30 AM Mountain, and 7:30 AM Pacific.
Where was the semifinal played?
It was played at Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Where can USA fans watch the match?
Willow TV carried the Women's Asia Cup semifinal in the USA and Canada. Viewers should check their subscription and local listing.
Who are the key players to watch?
Pakistan's main threats include Fatima Sana, Nashra Sundhu, Sadia Iqbal, and Shawaal Zulfiqar. Sri Lanka's key players include Chamari Athapaththu, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Kavisha Dilhari, and Nilakshika Silva.
Who did the semifinal winner play in the final?
Sri Lanka faced India in the final on September 13 in Dubai. India won by 72 runs.
Conclusion
Pakistan vs Sri Lanka was played on September 11 at 6:30 PM in Dubai, which is 10:30 AM Eastern in the United States. Sri Lanka brought an unbeaten group record and recent wins over Pakistan. Pakistan brought a bowling attack led by Fatima Sana, who took 4 for 38. Sri Lanka looked more consistent, and Pakistan did change the match by taking six wickets, but they could not stop the chase. Sri Lanka reached the final with eight balls to spare and then lost the tournament final to India by 72 runs.
