Pakistan women fell agonisingly short of a place in the final of the Asia Cup T20I, losing by one run in a nail-biter in Sylhet Thursday.

Pakistan were coasting in their pursuit of a sub-par 122, having reached 107-3 after 17.1 overs with captain Bismah Maroof and all-rounder Nida Dar at the crease. They needed 16 off 17 deliveries with seven wickets in hand.

Her dismissal, bowled by spinner Sugandika Kumari, put the brakes on Pakistan’s scoring with the equation down to 16 off 16. It came down to 13 off the last two overs and nine off the last over.

Nida Dar brought it down to three off the final delivery but was run out while scrambling for a second, giving Sri Lanka victory by the thinnest of margins.

For Pakistan, Maharoof top-scored with 42 off 41deliveries with Dar the other major contributor with her run-a-ball 26.

For Sri Lanka, Inoka Ranaweera was the star, giving away only 17 runs in her four overs while taking two wickets. Her efforts also won her the player of the match award.

Earlier, a measured bowling performance saw Pakistan limit Sri Lanka to 122/6 in their quota of 20 overs.

One down Harshitha Samarawickrama top-scored with 35 off 41 deliveries. Opening batter Anushka Sanjeewani was a little more aggressive in her 26 off 21 deliveries.

For Pakistan, Nashra Sandhi was the standout bowler takking 3-17 in her four overs.

Omaima Sohail was equally miserly, conceding 14 runs off her four overs without taking a wicket. Nida Dar, Sadia Iqbal and Aiman Anwer took a wicket each.

It is Sri Lanka’s first T20 Asia Cup final, having made it to the title clash three times when the tournament was an ODI affair.

They will face favourites India, who thrashed Thailand by 74 runs in the other semi-final.

The final is on Saturday, October 15.