Pakistan Women defeats Sri Lanka by 31 runs

Pakistan’s women’s cricket team, led by Fathima Sana, won their T20 World Cup opener against Sri Lanka by 31 runs at Sharjah Cricket Stadium yesterday.

Chamari Athapaththu managed only 6 runs, and Harshitha Samarawickrama added 7. Vishmi Gunaratne and Nilakshika Silva were the top scorers for Sri Lanka with 20 and 22 runs, respectively. Sri Lanka needed 56 runs in the last five overs with 5 wickets in hand but fell short, ending at 85/9 in pursuit of 117. Sadia Iqbal took 3 wickets for 17 runs, while Fathima Sana, Nashra Sandhu, and Omaima Sohail took 2 wickets each. Sana was named Player of the Match.

Pakistan won the toss and chose to bat but had a poor start, losing Muneeba Ali (11) and Gull Feroza (2) to Sugandhika Kumari in the first 4 overs. They were 32/3 after the powerplay and 57/4 by the 10th over as Sri Lanka’s spinners dominated. Omaima Sohail (18) and Nida Dar (23) tried to recover, but Chamari Athapaththu’s double strike left Pakistan at 74/7 after 14 overs.

Fathima Sana top-scored with 30 off 20 as Pakistan were all out for 116. Udeshika Probodani, Sugandhika Kumari, and Chamari Athapaththu each took three-wicket hauls. Anushka Sanjeewani became the second wicketkeeper to take 4 catches in a women’s T20 World Cup match. Sri Lanka faces Australia in their next match tomorrow.

Chief scores

Pakistan Women 116 in 20 overs (Muneeba Ali 11, Sidra Amin 12, Omaima Sohali 18,Nida Dar 23, Fathima Sana 30, Udeshika Probodani 3/20, Sugandhika Kumari 3/19, Chamari Athapaththu 3/18, Kavisha Dilhari 1/16)

Sri Lanka Women 85 for 9 wickets in 20 overs (Vishmi Gunaratne 20, Nilakshika Silva 22, Fathima Sana 2/10 Sadia Iqbal 3/17, Omaima Sohali 2/17, Nashra Sandhu 2/15)