SHARJAH – Captain Fatima Sana leads Pakistan to an impressive opening win over Sri Lanka in the T20 World Cup Clash.
After winning the toss and picking to bat, Pakistan faced a murky start as Sri Lanka’s bowlers dented top order. Sugandika’s early hits put Green Shirts under pressure.
Team Pakistan was all out for 116 on the final ball of their innings. Women in Green however secured the game with 31 runs as a mere two of Lankan batters passed with 20, with the next-best score being 8.
Three Pakistani bowlers got two scalps each, while Sadia Iqbal remained in light with impressive figures of 3-17.
Chasing a target of 116 runs, women from Island nation faltered and ended their innings at 85-9. Skipper Fatima Sana made a critical early impact by dismissing Sri Lanka’s heavyweight player, Chamari Athapaththu, giving Pakistan an early advantage.
Omaima then comes forward, and sent to take vital wickets of Harshitha Samarawickrama and Hasini Perera.
In first half of the game, Sri Lanka’s bowlers executed disciplined strategy, consistently taking wickets to keep Pakistan’s batting under pressure. Despite the challenges, Fatima Sana emerged as the top scorer for Pakistan, contributing 30 runs off 20 balls.
Athapaththu remained key player with figures of 3/18, just missing a hat-trick. Udeshika Prabodhani and Sugandika Kumari each got three wickets.
Today’s victory is morale boost for Pakistan as they progress in the tournament to lock horns with India.
