Pakistan kicked off their campaign in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 on a strong note, defeating Sri Lanka by 31 runs in Match 2, held on Thursday, October 3, in Sharjah. One of the standout moments of the game came from Pakistan’s Omaima Sohail, who delivered a crucial, game-changing ball that clean-bowled Sri Lanka’s Harshitha Madavi, marking a pivotal highlight in the match.

Omaima Sohail’s stunning delivery

In the 6th over of Sri Lanka’s innings, facing Omaima, Madavi misjudged a slower, straighter ball aimed directly at the stumps. Stuck on the back foot, Madavi attempted an across-the-line slog but failed to connect properly, missing the ball entirely on the inside edge. The ball struck the middle stump, sending Madavi back to the pavilion after scoring 7 runs off 10 balls. This crucial breakthrough by Sohail was one of the highlights of the match, further elevating her performance.

Here is the video:

Omaima was one of the key figures in Pakistan’s success. Her spin bowling proved devastating as she also dismissed Hasini Perera in a low scoring but high-pressure contest. Sohail’s efforts, along with her teammates, played a significant role in Pakistan’s dominant bowling display.

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Pakistan’s innings: Fatima Sana leads with the bat

Earlier in the match, batting first, Pakistan posted a total of 116 runs in their 20 allotted overs. Skipper Fatima Sana led from the front with a vital contribution of 30 runs off 20 balls. Despite a few setbacks, Pakistan managed to set a competitive target of 117 for Sri Lanka. Chamari Athapaththu, Sri Lanka’s captain, delivered an impressive bowling performance, taking 3 wickets for just 18 runs in her 4 overs, maintaining an economy of 4.50.

In response, Sri Lanka Women struggled to gain momentum. They managed to score 85 runs while losing 9 wickets in their 20 overs. Pakistan’s bowlers were in fine form, applying relentless pressure on the Sri Lankan batting order. Even though not all bowlers claimed wickets, their collective effort was economical, effectively stifling Sri Lanka’s run chase.

Pakistan’s bowling masterclass

While Omaima, Nashra Sandhu, and captain Fatima each claimed 2 wickets, it was Sadia Iqbal who stood out with a remarkable bowling performance, taking 3 wickets and playing a pivotal role in restricting Sri Lanka to 85/9. The disciplined and strategic bowling attack ensured Pakistan secured a convincing 31-run victory in a low-scoring affair.

For her all-round contribution, leading with both the bat and the ball, Pakistan captain Fatima was named the Player of the Match. Her leadership, vital runs, and crucial wickets made her the standout performer as Pakistan Women claimed an important win in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024.

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