Sri Lanka registered their highest successful run chase in Women’s T20I history as they defeated Pakistan by 6 wickets in the opening match of the three-match T20I series, played today (31st July) at the Dambulla International Cricket Stadium.
Having won the toss, Sri Lanka skipper Chamari Athapaththu elected to field first, inviting the visitors to set a target.
Pakistan Women posted a competitive 176 for 7 in their allotted 20 overs, thanks largely to opener Shawaal Zulfiqar, who top-scored with a fluent 63 off 41 deliveries, striking 10 fours and a six.
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Off-spinner Kaveesha Dilhari was the standout performer with the ball for Sri Lanka, claiming 2 wickets for 36 runs in her four-over spell.
In reply, Sri Lanka made a flying start as Athapaththu and Imesha Dulani put on 78 runs in just 43 deliveries for the opening wicket. Athapaththu played her usual aggressive brand of cricket, smashing 39 off 22 balls with 5 fours and 2 sixes before being dismissed.
Despite losing a few wickets after the strong opening stand, Sri Lanka never lost control of the chase as Dulani anchored the innings magnificently. She produced a career-defining knock, bringing up her maiden T20I century in spectacular fashion.
Dulani remained unbeaten on 101 off just 64 deliveries, lacing her innings with 17 fours and a six. Her composed yet attacking innings ensured Sri Lanka crossed the finish line with 6 wickets in hand, completing the chase in style.
Result
| Batsmen | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muneeba Ali | run out (Nilakshika Silva) | 42 | 24 | 9 | 0 | 175.00 |
| Shawaal Zulfiqar | b Chamudi Praboda | 63 | 41 | 10 | 1 | 153.66 |
| Eman Naseer | c Rashmika Sewwandi b Kavisha Dilhari | 21 | 27 | 1 | 0 | 77.78 |
| Ayesha Zafar | c Nilakshika Silva b Sugandika Kumari | 17 | 11 | 0 | 2 | 154.55 |
| Eyman Fatima | c Imesha Dulani b Kavisha Dilhari | 5 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 100.00 |
| Saira Jabeen | c Chamari Athapaththu b Kawya Kavindi | 13 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 162.50 |
| Umm-e-Hani | not out | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 166.67 |
| Waheeda Akhtar | run out (Rashmika Sewwandi) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Nashra Sandhu | not out | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Extras | 10 (b 3 , lb 1 , nb 0, w 6, pen 0) |
| Total | 176/7 (20 Overs, RR: 8.8) |
| Bowling | O | M | R | W | Econ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kawya Kavindi | 3 | 0 | 30 | 1 | 10.00 | |
| Rashmika Sewwandi | 1 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 14.00 | |
| Sugandika Kumari | 4 | 0 | 30 | 1 | 7.50 | |
| Chamari Athapaththu | 4 | 0 | 33 | 0 | 8.25 | |
| Kavisha Dilhari | 4 | 0 | 36 | 2 | 9.00 | |
| Chamudi Praboda | 4 | 0 | 29 | 1 | 7.25 | |
| Batsmen | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Imesha Dulani | not out | 101 | 64 | 10 | 0 | 157.81 |
| Chamari Athapaththu | c Umm-e-Hani b Nashra Sandhu | 39 | 22 | 5 | 2 | 177.27 |
| Vishmi Gunaratne | c Shawaal Zulfiqar b Umm-e-Hani | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 75.00 |
| Harshitha Samarawickrama | c Umm-e-Hani b Nashra Sandhu | 7 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 116.67 |
| Kavisha Dilhari | c Tasmia Rubab b Ghulam Fatima | 11 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 78.57 |
| Nilakshika Silva | not out | 9 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 225.00 |
| Extras | 7 (b 1 , lb 6 , nb 0, w 0, pen 0) |
| Total | 177/4 (19 Overs, RR: 9.32) |
| Bowling | O | M | R | W | Econ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bismah Maroof | 3 | 0 | 38 | 0 | 12.67 | |
| Waheeda Akhtar | 2 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 5.50 | |
| Umm-e-Hani | 4 | 0 | 37 | 1 | 9.25 | |
| Bismah Maroof | 4 | 0 | 33 | 0 | 8.25 | |
| Nashra Sandhu | 4 | 0 | 25 | 1 | 6.25 | |
| Ayesha Zafar | 2 | 0 | 26 | 0 | 13.00 | |
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