Ayesha, Shawaal power Pakistan to 177-4 against Sri Lanka in Asian Games semi-final

• Sri Lanka get 178-run target in semi-final.
• Shawaal Zulfiqar scores 54 off 50 deliveries.
• Fatima Sana remains unbeaten on 20.

Half-centuries from Ayesha Zafar and Shawaal Zulfiqar guided Pakistan Women to 177-4 against Sri Lanka Women in the first semi-final of the 2026 Asian Games in Nisshin, Japan on Sunday.

After being asked to bat, Pakistan suffered an early setback when stand-in wicketkeeper-opener Gull Feroza was bowled by Sugandika Kumari for a first-ball duck.

Ayesha and Saira Jabeen then steadied the innings with a 60-run partnership for the second wicket. Saira struck 17 off 14 balls, including three fours, before she was caught off Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu.

Shawaal continued to anchor the innings and brought up a valuable half-century, scoring 54 from 50 deliveries with the help of three fours and two sixes.

Ayesha provided the acceleration Pakistan needed in the latter stages, producing an aggressive knock of 71 from just 40 balls. Her innings featured nine fours and two sixes and lifted Pakistan's scoring rate after the halfway stage.

The pair added 95 runs for the third wicket to put Sri Lanka's bowlers under pressure and push Pakistan towards a commanding total.

Shawaal's innings ended when she was caught off Kawya Kavindi, while Ayesha was run out in the final over after playing the leading role in Pakistan's late charge.

Captain Fatima Sana remained unbeaten on 20 from 12 balls, striking two fours and a six, while Eyman Fatima contributed an unbeaten five off three deliveries as Pakistan finished on 177-4 from their 20 overs.

For Sri Lanka, Sugandika Kumari, Athapaththu and Kawya Kavindi claimed one wicket each.

Pakistan added 10 extras, including eight wides, and scored at 8.85 runs per over.

The winners of the semi-final will advance to Tuesday's gold-medal match, while the losing side will contest the bronze-medal playoff.