Pakistan staged a determined fightback to beat Sri Lanka by 31 runs in their opening game of the Women’s T20 World Cup campaign in Sharjah on Thursday. Left-arm spinner Sadia Iqbal claimed three wickets, while Pakistan’s captain Sana played a crucial role with the bat, leading her team to a competitive total.
Key Takeaways
- Pakistan won by 31 runs against Sri Lanka.
- Sadia Iqbal took three wickets, leading the bowling attack.
- Captain Sana scored a vital 30 runs off 20 balls.
- Sri Lanka struggled to chase down a target of 117 runs.
Match Overview
Pakistan won the toss and opted to bat first, but they faced early setbacks as they slumped to 84-8. The innings was salvaged by a crucial lower-order knock from captain Sana, who scored 30 runs, including three fours and a six. Despite the pressure, her innings proved to be a match-winning contribution.
Sri Lanka’s bowlers, particularly Sugandika Kumari and Chamari Athapaththu, made significant impacts. Kumari took three wickets for 19 runs, while Athapaththu also claimed three wickets, finishing with figures of 3-18. However, Pakistan’s lower order managed to push the total to a respectable 116 runs.
Bowling Highlights
- Sadia Iqbal: 3 wickets for 20 runs
- Nashra Sandhu: 2 wickets for 25 runs
- Omaima Sohail: 2 wickets for 30 runs
- Fatima Sana: 2 wickets for 25 runs
Sri Lanka’s Chase
In response, Sri Lanka’s innings got off to a rocky start. They lost their captain Athapaththu early, caught at extra cover for just six runs. Despite a brief resistance from Vishmi Gunaratne, who scored 20 runs, Sri Lanka struggled to build partnerships and lost wickets at regular intervals.
The turning point came when Kavisha Dilhari was dismissed for a low score, leaving Sri Lanka reeling at 47-4 in the 11th over. Nilakshika Silva managed to score 22 runs but was dismissed in the penultimate over, further denting Sri Lanka’s hopes.
Upcoming Matches
- Pakistan: Next faces arch-rivals India on Sunday.
- Sri Lanka: Set to take on tournament favorites Australia, who are aiming for their seventh title in nine editions.
Conclusion
This victory marks a significant start for Pakistan in the Women’s T20 World Cup, showcasing their bowling prowess and the leadership of their captain. Both teams will be looking to improve as they head into their next matches, with high stakes on the line as they aim to progress beyond the group stage for the first time in their T20 World Cup history.