Pakistan Women Beat Sri Lanka Women by 31 Runs in a Thrilling ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 Opener: Pakistan Women defended a modest 116-run target to beat Sri Lanka Women by 31 runs in the second match of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Thursday.
Skipper Fatima Sana shone in both departments, leading with a standout performance. Batting at No. 7, she top-scored with a quickfire 30 off 20 balls and later contributed with the ball, taking 2-10 in 2.5 overs. Her efforts were complemented by a strong bowling display from Sadia Iqbal, who picked up 3-17, and contributions from Omaima Sohail (2-17) and Nashra Sundhu (2-15). The trio combined to restrict Sri Lanka to just 85-9 in their allotted 20 overs, securing Pakistan’s victory by a 31-run margin.
Pakistan struggled early on after electing to bat, finding themselves in a precarious position at 32-3 at the end of the powerplay. Nida Dar (23 off 22 balls) and Omaima Sohail (18 off 19 balls) steadied the ship, adding 25 crucial runs for the fourth wicket. But with Omaima’s dismissal at the halfway stage, Pakistan’s innings was again in trouble at 57-4.
Fatima Sana’s aggressive batting in the later stages helped Pakistan recover, as she smashed three boundaries and a six. Her crucial ninth-wicket partnership with Nashra Sundhu (6* off 14 balls) added a valuable 28 runs off 26 deliveries, pushing Pakistan to 116 all out in 20 overs.
Sri Lanka’s bowlers, led by Chamari Athapaththu (3-18), Sugandika Kumari (3-19), and Udeshika Prabodhani (3-20), kept Pakistan in check throughout but could not prevent the lower-order resurgence.
Chasing 117 for victory, Sri Lanka never quite found their rhythm. Pakistan’s bowlers, led by the in-form Fatima Sana, applied early pressure. Fatima dismissed the dangerous Sri Lankan captain Chamari Athapaththu for just 6, setting the tone for a disciplined bowling performance. Sri Lanka were 44-3 at the halfway mark but lost wickets at regular intervals, eventually collapsing to 85-9.
Nilakshika Silva (22 off 25 balls) and Vishmi Gunaratne (20 off 34 balls) offered some resistance, but Pakistan’s bowlers kept tight control. Sadia Iqbal’s three-wicket haul, combined with economical spells from Omaima Sohail and Nashra Sundhu, made sure Sri Lanka never got close to the target.
Pakistan Women will face arch-rivals India Women in their next match on Sunday, 6 October, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The highly anticipated clash is set to begin at 1500 PKT.
