Pakistan, Sept. 21 -- Sri Lanka advanced to the Gold Medal match of the Asian Games 2026 women's cricket event after beating Pakistan by eight wickets in the first semifinal of the event on Sunday at Nisshin.

Chamari Athapaththu-led Sri Lanka hunted down the 178-run target with 13 balls to spare with the skipper herself contributing 83 not out, said a press release.

Sri Lanka will face the winner of the India v Bangladesh semi-final for the Gold Medal match, while Pakistan will face the losing team of semifinal two in Bronze Medal match on September 22.

Earlier, Pakistan were asked to bat first and with half-centuries from Ayesha Zafar and Shawaal Zulfiqar they posted the total of 177-4 in the allotted 20 overs. Pakistan lost Gull Fero...