Pakistan’s women’s team triumphed over Sri Lanka by 31 runs in their second match of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup on Thursday. Skipper Fatima Sana led from the front, guiding her team to victory in what was a thrilling contest at Sharjah Stadium.
Facing the defending Asian Cup champions, Pakistan’s side overcame early hurdles to post a total of 116 in the first innings. They then delivered a stellar bowling performance, restricting Sri Lanka to just 85/9 in their 20 overs.
The key turning point came when Fatima Sana (2/10) dismissed Sri Lankan captain and opener Chamari Athapaththu, who had been expected to be one of the pivotal figures in the match. Pakistan’s disciplined bowling attack, led by Sadia Iqbal (3/17), kept Sri Lanka under immense pressure throughout the chase.
Vishmi Gunaratne, with 20 runs from 34 balls, and Nilakshi de Silva, scoring 22 from 25, were the only Sri Lankan batters to reach double digits. However, the team’s inability to find boundaries at crucial stages of the game saw them fall well short of the target, ending 31 runs behind.
Pakistan’s strategic batting triumphs
Despite a shaky start, Pakistan’s batting lineup was unexpectedly fluid, with their captain Sana playing a crucial role lower down the order. Her quick-fire 30 from just 20 balls ultimately made the difference, ensuring that Pakistan crossed the 100-run mark.
Earlier in the innings, Sri Lanka’s bowlers were on top, with Chamari Athapaththu delivering a near-perfect spell. She finished with figures of 3/18 and came close to a hat-trick after dismissing Tuba Hassan and Aliya Riaz in consecutive deliveries. Sugandika Kumari (3/20) and Udeshika Prabodhani (3/19) also contributed to what seemed to be a highly effective bowling performance for Sri Lanka. Despite their efforts, Pakistan’s total of 116 was enough to secure victory on the day.
The game was particularly significant for Fatima Sana, who marked her first major tournament as captain by winning the toss and opting to bat first. Her decision proved to be a sound one, as Sri Lanka’s initial success in the powerplay—where they reduced Pakistan to 38/3—was eventually overturned by her own batting prowess and her bowlers’ dominance later in the match.
Muneeba Ali (11 from 14) and Gull Feroza (2 from 4) struggled at the top of the order, with both dismissed early by Sugandika Kumari. A minor recovery followed, with Nida Dar (23 from 22) and Omaima Sohail (18 from 19) stabilizing the innings, but it was Sana’s late contribution that pushed Pakistan to a defendable total.
A bowling masterclass from Pakistan
In the second half of the match, Pakistan’s bowling attack showcased remarkable discipline and composure. The early wicket of Athapaththu—Sri Lanka’s most dangerous batter—immediately swung the momentum in Pakistan’s favor. From then on, the Sri Lankan side found themselves on the back foot, unable to recover.
Sadia Iqbal‘s left-arm spin was particularly effective, as she claimed three key wickets for just 17 runs. Other bowlers, including Nashra Sandhu and Tuba Hassan, played their parts in choking Sri Lanka’s batting lineup, preventing them from ever gaining momentum.
For Sri Lanka, the match ended in disappointment as they fell 31 runs short of their target. Their defeat came despite a strong bowling performance and several moments where they seemed on the verge of turning the game in their favor. The loss will certainly sting, as Sri Lanka had entered the tournament with high expectations following their Asian Cup triumph.
A promising start for Pakistan’s new captain
For Fatima Sana, this victory marks a promising start to her captaincy in a major tournament. Her all-round performance, both with the bat and ball, was the key to Pakistan’s success. After the match, Sana praised her team’s efforts, highlighting the significance of teamwork and discipline.
“It’s an important win for us, especially against a strong side like Sri Lanka. We kept believing, and it paid off. The bowlers did an excellent job after we managed to put up a fighting total,” Sana said after the match.
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