In Match 2 of Group A at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, held in Sharjah on Thursday (October 3), Pakistan clinched a comfortable victory over Sri Lanka by 31 runs. Defending a modest total of 116, Pakistan’s disciplined bowling attack restricted Sri Lanka to 85/9 in their allotted 20 overs, ensuring a strong start to their World Cup campaign.

Fatima Sana and Nida Dar anchor Pakistan’s innings

Pakistan’s batting struggled initially, with openers Muneeba Ali and Gull Feroza dismissed cheaply. Muneeba managed 11 off 14 balls, while Feroza fell for just 2 runs in the second over. Sidra Amin added some quick runs but was dismissed after scoring 12 off 10 balls. As the innings progressed, Pakistan found stability in the partnership between Omaima Sohail and Nida Dar. Omaima contributed 18 off 19, but Nida Dar’s 23 off 22 balls kept Pakistan afloat. However, the standout performance came from Fatima Sana, who played a crucial late-order knock of 30 off 20 balls, hitting three boundaries and a six. Her aggressive innings helped Pakistan reach a competitive total of 116. Pakistan struggled to build partnerships consistently, but Sana’s finishing knock ensured they had something to defend.

Sugandika Kumari and Chamari Athapaththu keep Pakistan in check

Sri Lanka’s bowling attack, led by Sugandika Kumari and captain Chamari Athapaththu, kept Pakistan’s batters under constant pressure. Kumari was exceptional, claiming 3 wickets for 19 runs in her four overs. Her ability to take early wickets stifled Pakistan’s momentum, especially when she removed both Muneeba and Gull early in the innings. Athapaththu also contributed significantly, taking 3 wickets for 18 runs. She dismissed Amin, Aliya Riaz and Tuba Hassan, breaking key partnerships at crucial moments. Udeshika Prabodhani supported well, taking 3 wickets for 20 runs.

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Vishmi Gunaratne’s resilience unable to save Sri Lanka

Chasing 117, Sri Lanka’s innings never got off the ground as they lost early wickets, starting with captain Athapaththu, who fell for just 6 runs. Vishmi Gunaratne was the top scorer for Sri Lanka, making 20 off 34 balls, but she struggled to find support from the rest of the lineup. Wickets fell regularly, with batters like Harshitha Samarawickrama and Hasini Perera failing to convert their starts. Both were dismissed for single-digit scores, leaving Sri Lanka reeling at 35 for 3. Nilakshika Silva offered some resistance with 22 off 25 balls, but by then, the required run rate had climbed, and Sri Lanka found themselves unable to build any meaningful partnerships. The lack of intent and constant fall of wickets saw Sri Lanka finish on 85/9, well short of the target.

Sadia Iqbal and Fatima shine for Pakistan

Pakistan’s bowlers delivered an outstanding performance, with Sadia Iqbal and Fatima leading the charge. Sadia picked up 3 wickets for 17 runs in her four overs, including the crucial wicket of Gunaratne, who was the only batter offering some resistance. She also dismissed Nilakshika Silva and Sugandika Kumari, ensuring that Sri Lanka’s lower order had no chance of recovery. Fatima, after her impactful batting display, was equally effective with the ball, taking 2 wickets for just 10 runs in her 2.5 overs. She removed both Sri Lanka’s captain Athapaththu and Sachini Nisansala, further destabilizing the chase. Sohail also contributed with the ball, taking 2 wickets for 17 runs.

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This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.