In the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, Pakistan’s slow bowlers dominated the day on the way to a 31-run win to make a dream start. Playing in Sharjah, a brisk 30 from skipper Fatima Sana helped Pakistan to a total of 116 batting first, before they took advantage of the conditions to stifle Sri Lanka’s chase at Playing in Sharjah.
Suffocated Sri Lanka’s batting, making it difficult to find the boundary, Omaima Sohail (2/17) and Nashra Sandhu (2/15) took the pace off the ball. In the end, they managed 84 for nine in reply, with Pakistan up and running in Pool A, where Australia, India, and New Zealand all lie in wait.
Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat first, but lost Gull Feroza in the second over for two as she was caught behind off the bowling of Sugandika Kumari (3/19). Muneeba Ali tried to attack, even notching the first six of the tournament, but she was Kumari’s second victim for 11.
Chamari Athapaththu then got in on the act, removing Sidra Amin (12) with a return catch as they slipped to 32 for three.
The 25-run partnership of Nida Dar and Omaima (18) tried to rebuild but was broken by Kavisha Dilhari, with Pakistan 57 for four at the halfway stage.
The wickets continued to fall, with Nida next to go for 23, closely followed by Tuba Hassan and Aliya Riaz, who went on successive balls from Athapaththu (3/18). She could not complete the hat-trick, but when Diana Baig became Kumari’s third victim, Pakistan was in a world of trouble at 84 for eight.
Skipper Fatima stepped up, smashing a quickfire 30 before she fell in the final over, as Pakistan were bowled out for 116 off the last ball of their 20 overs.
In response, Pakistan made a crucial breakthrough early, dismissing Athapaththu, who was caught at extra cover off Fatima’s bowling for just six runs in the third over. Harshitha Samarawickrama followed, clean bowled by Omaima while trying to play across the line, departing for seven runs.
Another stunning delivery from Omaima took out Hasini Perera (8), leaving Sri Lanka at 35 for three as the required rate approached seven runs per over. Nashra then entered the attack and took advantage, removing Dilhari (3) and the set Vishmi Gunaratne (20) in consecutive overs.
From there, Sri Lanka was never able to recover in their pursuit of victory. Sadia Iqbal removed Nilakshika Silva for 22, one of her three victims, as she maintained the pressure.
Fittingly, Fatima finished the job, taking a wicket in the final over and ending with figures of two for 10 in a comprehensive victory.
