Chamari Athapaththu Shines [Source: AFP]Sri Lanka Women produced a stunning chase against Pakistan Women in the first semi-final of the Asian Games Women’s Cricket Competition 2026 on September 20. Chasing 178 for a place in the Gold Medal match, Sri Lanka barely broke a sweat after getting their chase back on track following an early setback. Captain Chamari Athapaththu led from the front with a sensational unbeaten 83, powering Sri Lanka to an eight-wicket victory in just 17.5 overs and securing at least a silver medal in the process.Sri Lanka Women register highest successful chase in their historySri Lanka rewrote their own record books while booking their place in the Asian Games final. The 178/2 chase against Pakistan is now the highest successful run chase in Sri Lanka Women’s history in T20 cricket, surpassing their previous best of 177/4, also recorded against Pakistan in Dambulla earlier in 2026.Highest Successful Run-Chase for Sri Lanka in WT20Is178/2 vs Pakistan, Nisshin, 2026 (T-178)177/4 vs Pakistan, Dambulla, 2026 (T-177)178/4 vs Pakistan, Dambulla, 2026 (T-176)167/2 vs India, Dambulla, 2024 (T-166)156/6 vs South Africa, KuGumpo City, 2024 (T-156)The significance of the record was clear from the way Sri Lanka finished the chase. Pakistan had put up a formidable 177/4 after being sent in to bat, with Ayesha Zafar smashing 71 off 40 balls and Shawaal Zulfiqar contributing 54. Their 115-run partnership had appeared to put Pakistan in control.Also Read- Asian Games 2026- All Cricket Squads AnnouncedSri Lanka’s previous highest successful chases included 177/4 against Pakistan in Dambulla in 2026, 178/4 against Pakistan in the same venue during another 2026 meeting, 167/2 against India in Dambulla in 2024 and 156/6 against South Africa in KuGumpo City in 2024.Chamari Athapaththu plays captain's knock to push Sri Lanka to the FinalSri Lanka Women's chase did not begin perfectly. Imesha Dulani provided a brisk 27 off 21 balls before departing in the fifth over, leaving the side needing a substantial partnership.That was when Athapaththu took control. The Sri Lankan captain initially found it difficult to get going and survived two dropped chances. But once she settled, Pakistan’s bowlers had few answers. She first found a dependable partner in Hasini Perera. The duo added 95 runs, taking Sri Lanka from a difficult position to the brink of victory. Perera struck 42 from 26 balls, including three fours and three sixes, before Umm-e-Hani ended the partnership.Harshitha Samarawickrama then joined her and contributed an unbeaten 17 from 12 balls as Sri Lanka completed the chase at 178/2 in 17.5 overs.She reached her half-century from 37 deliveries and finished unbeaten on 83 off just 50 balls, smashing seven fours and six sixes at a staggering strike rate of 166.00. Sri Lanka's dominance in Asian Games 2026Chamari Athapaththu has been at the centre of Sri Lanka’s campaign and is currently the tournament’s leading run-scorer. Across two matches, she has accumulated 146 runs at an average of 146.00 and a strike rate of 167.81, with two half-centuries.She has also contributed with the ball, claiming three wickets in six overs at an economy rate of 5.50. Her all-round impact has made her one of Sri Lanka’s most influential players in the competition.Hasini Perera has also played an important supporting role, scoring 65 runs in two innings, while Harshitha Samarawickrama has contributed 42 runs at a strike rate of 140.00.With Chamari Athapaththu leading the charge, Sri Lanka have now gone through to the Asian Games final, where they will compete for the Gold Medal on September 22 at 10:30 AM IST.Also Read- Ajit Agarkar Forced To Quit BCCI Over Rohit Sharma, VVS Laxman Saga
