Cricket

Sri Lanka and Pakistan Clash in Women's Asia Cup 2024 Semi-FinalSri Lanka and Pakistan will lock horns in the second semi-final of the Women's Asia Cup 2024 on Friday in Dambulla. The match promises to be a thrilling encounter between two evenly matched teams.Sri Lanka has been in impressive form throughout the tournament, remaining unbeaten in the group stage. They topped Group B with three wins and a tie, showcasing their consistency and resilience. Their batting lineup has been led by Chamari Athapaththu, who has scored two half-centuries, while the bowling attack has been spearheaded by Oshadi Ranasinghe, who has taken seven wickets.Pakistan, on the other hand, finished second in Group A with two wins and a loss. Their only defeat came against arch-rivals India, who they will face in the final if they can overcome Sri Lanka. Pakistan's batting has been anchored by Nida Dar, who has scored 102 runs in the tournament, while their bowling has been led by Fatima Sana, who has taken six wickets.The winner of this semi-final will face India in the summit clash on Sunday. India has been the dominant force in women's cricket in the region, having won the last six editions of the Asia Cup. However, both Sri Lanka and Pakistan will be determined to upset the favorites and claim the title.The match is expected to be a close and competitive affair, with both teams having their strengths and weaknesses. Sri Lanka will be looking to continue their unbeaten run, while Pakistan will be eager to avenge their loss to India. The outcome of the match will have a significant impact on the tournament and will set the stage for an exciting final.

Thailand's captain, Thipatcha Putthawong, made a decisive call at the toss, opting to bat first against Sri Lanka in the crucial final group match of the Women's Asia Cup 2024. The Thai team remained unchanged from their previous encounter with Bangladesh, aiming for a "par score" and emphasizing partnerships.Sri Lanka, on the other hand, made four alterations to their lineup, bringing back experienced players like Hasini Perera and Udeshika Prabodhani. Captain Chamari Athapaththu expressed her desire to bat but acknowledged the opportunity to bowl first, citing their strong bowling unit.With Bangladesh already securing a semi-final berth, Sri Lanka stood at the top of Group B with two wins. A victory would guarantee their place in the final four, while even a narrow loss could suffice. Thailand, however, needed a substantial win to overtake Sri Lanka's net run rate.Sri Lanka had dominated their previous matches, crushing Bangladesh by seven wickets and Malaysia by 144 runs. Thailand, meanwhile, had a mixed record, winning against Malaysia but losing to Bangladesh.

India vs Nepal: Women's Asia Cup 2024 Match PreviewIndia will face Nepal in their third match of the Women's Asia Cup 2024 on Tuesday, July 23, at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium in Dambulla, Sri Lanka. The match will commence at 7:00 PM IST.India has had a strong start to the tournament, defeating United Arab Emirates by 78 runs and arch-rivals Pakistan by seven wickets. They will be aiming for their third consecutive victory against Nepal.Nepal, on the other hand, has had a mixed start. They defeated UAE in their opening game but lost to Pakistan in their second match. They will be looking to bounce back and secure a win against India.Key Players to Watch:* India: Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Harmanpreet Kaur* Nepal: Rubina Chhetry, Sita Rana Magar, Indu BarmaMatch Prediction:India is the clear favorite to win this match. They have a more experienced and talented squad, and they have been in good form in the tournament so far. Nepal will need to play out of their skins to pull off an upset.Live Streaming and Telecast:The India vs Nepal match will be telecast live on the Star Sports Network. It will also be streamed live on Hotstar.Conclusion:The India vs Nepal match promises to be an exciting contest. India will be looking to continue their winning streak, while Nepal will be aiming to cause an upset. With both teams having something to prove, the match is likely to be a close and competitive affair.

Pakistan Opts to Bowl First Against Nepal in Crucial Women's Asia Cup MatchIn a pivotal match at the Women's Asia Cup 2024, Pakistan captain Nida Dar elected to bowl first after winning the toss against Nepal. The decision stems from Pakistan's loss batting first against India in their previous encounter.Pakistan made one change to their lineup, replacing middle-order batter Iram Javed with allrounder Omaima Sohail. Nepal, seeking a victory to secure a semi-final berth alongside India, also bolstered their batting by bringing in wicketkeeper-batter Roma Thapa for Sabnam Rai.The match is being played on the same pitch where India defeated UAE earlier in the day. The boundaries are approximately 59 meters away, but the wind conditions could significantly impact the game. During the first match, the wind direction shifted several times, a factor that both Nepal and Pakistan must consider.Nepal's Lineup:1. Samjhana Khadka2. Sita Rana Magar3. Kabita Kunwar4. Indu Barma (capt)5. Rubina Chhetry6. Puja Mahato7. Kajal Shrestha (wk)8. Roma Thapa9. Kabita Joshi10. Bindu Rawal11. Kritika MarasiniPakistan's Lineup:1. Gull Feroza2. Muneeba Ali (wk)3. Sidra Amin4. Nida Dar (capt)5. Aliya Riaz6. Omaima Sohail7. Fatima Sana8. Tuba Hassan9. Sadia Iqbal10. Nashra Sandhu11. Syeda Aroob Shah

Indian Openers Dominate in Women's Asia Cup OpenerIn the inaugural match of the Women's Asia Cup 2024, Indian openers Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana showcased their aggressive batting prowess, leading their team to a comfortable victory over Pakistan.Chasing a modest target of 109 runs, Verma and Mandhana set the tone for India's chase with an explosive start. Verma, known for her power-hitting, contributed a crucial 40 runs, while Mandhana complemented her efforts with a well-crafted 45 runs.The duo's partnership was a masterclass in aggressive batting. They consistently found the boundary with an array of powerful strokes, including fours and sixes. Their dominance was evident in the sixth over, where they amassed 15 runs off Tuba Hassan's bowling, including two fours and a towering six.Mandhana and Verma displayed a remarkable understanding of each other's strengths, rotating the strike effectively and capitalizing on scoring opportunities. Their ability to find gaps in the field and clear the boundary with ease kept the Pakistani fielders on their toes.The aggressive approach adopted by the Indian openers was a calculated risk that paid off handsomely. It allowed them to maintain a healthy run rate and keep the required run rate within manageable limits. Their ability to score freely also provided the subsequent batters with the luxury of playing their natural game without undue pressure.Despite various strategies employed by the Pakistani bowlers, the Indian openers remained undeterred, showcasing their skill, temperament, and determination to succeed. Their partnership not only set the tone for India's successful chase but also highlighted the depth and quality of the Indian batting lineup.

The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has revised the schedule for the Women's Asia Cup 2024, set to take place in Dambulla, Sri Lanka, from July 19 to 28. The tournament will feature eight teams, divided into two groups of four.Defending champions India will kick off their campaign on the opening day, July 19, against arch-rivals Pakistan in a highly anticipated clash. The match, originally scheduled for July 21, has been moved to the evening slot. Nepal and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will open the tournament in the afternoon.The other group matches have also been adjusted. Nepal and Pakistan will now face off on July 21, while India will take on UAE on the same day. The rest of the schedule remains unchanged.Group A consists of India, Nepal, Pakistan, and UAE, while Group B comprises hosts Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Malaysia, and Thailand. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals, scheduled for July 26. The final will be played on July 28.Unlike the previous edition, where teams played each other once before the semi-finals, this year's format features a group stage. India will face Nepal on July 23, their only day game in the group stage.The Women's Asia Cup 2024 will mark the return of an all-female team of umpires and match officials. The tournament will serve as a crucial preparation for the Women's T20 World Cup 2024, which will be held in Bangladesh from October 3 to 20.India, with seven titles, is the most successful team in the Women's Asia Cup. They will be aiming to defend their crown and extend their dominance in the region.