Pakistan kicked off their Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 campaign with a solid 31-run win against Sri Lanka at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. After a slow start, Pakistan captain Fatima Sana’s all-round brilliance rescued her team, both with the bat and ball. Pakistan set a target of 117, with crucial contributions from Omaima Sohail (18) and Nida Dar (23), before their spinners dominated Sri Lanka’s chase.
Sri Lankan Spinners Shine Early
Batting first, Pakistan struggled in the powerplay, losing quick wickets and ending at 32/3. Sri Lankan spinners Chamari Athapaththu and Sugandhika Kumari controlled the middle overs, taking three wickets each. However, Pakistan captain Fatima Sana’s crucial late-order hitting ensured a fighting total of 116/9.
Sri Lanka Collapse in the Chase
Sri Lanka’s chase began on a tough note with captain Chamari Athapaththu falling early. Pakistan’s bowlers, led by Sadia Iqbal (3/17), tightened the grip, reducing Sri Lanka to 35/3. Wickets continued to tumble, and despite brief resistance from Vishmi Gunaratne and Nilakshi de Silva, Sri Lanka could only manage 85 runs, falling 31 runs short of the target.
Pakistan’s Spinners Dominate
The turning Sharjah pitch worked in favor of Pakistan’s bowlers, especially Sadia Iqbal, who led the attack with 3/17. Nashra Sandhu and Omaima Sohail also chipped in with crucial wickets, leaving Sri Lanka’s batters struggling for runs and sealing a comprehensive victory for Pakistan.
