Sri Lanka fell short of their target by 69 runs in the 1st Women’s Championship ODI between the hosts and Pakistan in Dambulla as Javeria Khan’s unbeaten 113 helped the visitors post 250/6 batting 1st.
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Khan came to crease at the fall of the 1st wicket and batted right until the end, making 113 off 142 deliveries, with 15 hits to the boundary. What made her knock most impressive was that none of the other batters crossed the 35-run mark.
Sri Lanka started things off well in the field after skipper Chamari Atapattu sent the visitors into bat at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium. Fast bowler Sripali Weerakkody made the first strike for Sri Lanka, getting rid of Muneeba Ali for 0 and when Achini Kulasooriya struck to remove Nahida Khan, Pakistan were struggling on 19/2.
A 39-run partnership between skipper Bismah Mahroof and Khan helped the visitors recover however, 2 more quick wickets put Sri Lanka well on top as they had Pakistan on 72/4 in just under 18 overs.
Photo Album – Sri Lanka Women’s vs Pakistan Women’s – 1st ODI 2018
Khan was then well supported by Nida Dar and Sana Mir, who added 34 and 27 respectively, while Natalia Pervaiz’s 20 ball 21 added some momentum to the Pakistani innings.
Spinner Shashikala Siriwardene and Chamari Atapattu managed 2 wickets a-piece for the hosts but Sri Lanka would have felt that 250 was too big a total to be chasing, especially after getting the early breakthroughs.
The hosts began their innings in disastrous fashion as opener Hasini Perera fell in the very first over for a 2-ball duck. Captain and vice-captain Atapattu and Nipuni Hansika combined to give Sri Lanka some hope, adding 51 for the 2nd wicket but with the dismissal of Hansika, the runs dried up and the pressure began to build. Dilani Manodara made 13 off 38 and Atapattu fell trying to up the ante as a result, for 42.
With the dismissal of Atapattu, Sri Lanka’s hope were all but lost, however, former skipper Shashikala Siriwardene made a composed 44, shepherding the lower order batters towards the target.
However, 251 proved to be too much as the hosts were eventually bowled out for 181 with Siriwardene being the last one dismissed.
