Pakistan down Sri Lanka at Women’s T20 World Cup

Pakistan made a spirited comeback to defeat Sri Lanka by 31 runs in their opening match of the Women’s T20 World Cup in Sharjah on Thursday.

Left-arm spinner Sadia Iqbal was crucial in the victory, taking three wickets, while Nashra Sandhu, Omaima Sohail, and captain Fatima Sana each contributed with two wickets as Sri Lanka, the Asia Cup champions, fell short of their target of 117 runs.

After winning the toss and opting to bat, Pakistan found themselves in a risky position at 84-8, necessitating a crucial lower-order innings from Sana to set a competitive total.

Sri Lankan spinner Sugandika Kumari claimed both Pakistan openers caught behind with her left-arm spin, and wickets continued to fall at regular intervals.

Sohail scored 18 runs, and Nida Dar added 23, but Pakistan appeared at risk of not even reaching 100, as Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu took three wickets with her off-spin.

Athapaththu finished with figures of 3-18, while Kumari recorded 3-19. However, Sana’s quickfire 30 off 20 balls, which included three fours and a six, proved crucial in frustrating the Sri Lankan bowlers and ultimately secured Pakistan’s victory.

Sana was eventually dismissed by left-arm seamer Udeshika Prabodhani, who ended her spell with 3-20.

Pakistan faced an early setback when opening bowler Diana Baig suffered a calf strain after just one delivery of the Sri Lankan innings. However, her replacement, Sana, quickly made an impact by claiming the important wicket of Athapaththu, who was caught at extra cover for six runs.

Sohail struck next, bowling Harshitha Samarawickrama and Hasini Perera for low scores. While Vishmi Gunaratne was at the crease, Sri Lanka held out hope. However, Kavisha Dilhari fell to Sandhu while trying to accelerate the run rate, leaving Sri Lanka struggling at 47-4 in the 11th over.

Nilakshika Silva received a lucky break when she was adjudged lbw from a delivery that was initially called a dead ball after Sandhu’s towel fell out of her pocket.

Just three balls later, Gunaratne was caught attempting to hit Sandhu straight down the ground for 20 runs.

Silva was dismissed for 22 runs in the penultimate over, caught off a top edge to short fine leg.

Neither team has advanced beyond the group stage in any of their eight previous attempts in the T20 World Cup.

Next, Pakistan will face their arch-rivals India on Sunday, while Sri Lanka will take on tournament favorites Australia, who are aiming for their seventh title in nine editions.