Sharjah, 3 October 2024: Pakistan Women began their ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 campaign with a commanding 31-run win over Sri Lanka Women at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Thursday. Despite a modest total of 116 runs, Pakistan’s bowlers, led by an all-round performance from skipper Fatima Sana, restricted Sri Lanka to 85-9 in their 20 overs.
After opting to bat first, Pakistan’s top order struggled as they slipped to 32-3 within the powerplay. Nida Dar (23 off 22) and Omaima Sohail (18 off 19) provided some stability with a 25-run partnership, but the team was still in a precarious position at 57-4 midway through their innings. Fatima Sana, coming in at No.7, played a crucial knock, scoring 30 off 20 balls to help push Pakistan to a defendable total. Her innings included three boundaries and a six, and she added a valuable 28-run ninth-wicket stand with Nashra Sundhu (6*).
Fatima’s effort with the bat was followed by an impressive bowling performance. Leading the attack, she took 2-10 in 2.5 overs, while Sadia Iqbal’s 3-17 wreaked havoc on Sri Lanka’s top order. Omaima Sohail and Nashra Sundhu also chipped in with two wickets each, as the trio combined to return figures of 7-49 in 12 overs, dismantling Sri Lanka’s batting lineup.
“That Pakistan were able to accrue 59 runs in the last 10 overs was largely due to Fatima Sana’s charge with the bat as she hit three fours and one six in her outing after walking in at 72-5 in 12.3 overs.”
The Sri Lankan batters struggled from the outset, losing their captain Chamari Athapaththu for just six runs in the third over to Fatima. Nilakshika Silva (22 off 25) and Vishmi Gunaratne (20 off 34) were the only batters to make it into double figures, but they couldn’t withstand the consistent pressure applied by Pakistan’s bowlers. In the end, Sri Lanka could only muster 85-9 in their 20 overs, falling short by 31 runs.
“Sri Lanka were 44-3 at the halfway mark before collapsing to 85-9 in the allotted 20 overs.”
Scores in brief: Pakistan Women 116 all out in 20 overs (Fatima Sana 30, Nida Dar 23, Omaima Sohail 18; Chamari Athapaththu 3-18, Sugandika Kumari 3-19, Udeshika Prabodhani 3-20)
Sri Lanka Women 85-9 in 20 overs (Nilakshika Silva 22, Vishmi Gunaratne 20; Sadia Iqbal 3-17, Fatima Sana 2-10, Nashra Sundhu 2-15, Omaima Sohail 2-17)
Player of the match: Fatima Sana (Pakistan Women)
Pakistan will now face arch-rivals India Women on Sunday, 6 October, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, where they will look to build on this winning start.
