Skipper Fatima Sana and Ayesha Zafar celebrate Pakistan’s win
Nilakshika Silva was left stranded on 46*
Chamari Athapaththu scores on the off side during her innings of 46
Three-match ICC Women’s Championship series
Player of the Match Gull Feroza
Pakistan came up with a strong batting performance to defeat Sri Lanka by five wickets in the first Women’s ODI and take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series at the Mahinda Rajapaksa Cricket Stadium, Hambantota yesterday.
Winning the toss and batting first Sri Lanka finished with an under par score of 210-9 losing their last four wickets for 17 runs. At 193-5 in the 47th over Sri Lanka looked well in control to post a total around 240, but poor cricket by the late order left Nilakshika Silva who could have got them close to that target was left stranded on 46* scored off 50 balls (2 fours).
Sri Lanka began well with openers Vishmi Gunaratne (28 off 38 balls) and skipper Chamari Athapaththu (46 off 67 balls, 6 fours) posting 56. Hasini Perera and Kavisha Dilhari contributed 35 apiece, but it was the latter half of the batting that was disappointing.
Pakistan’s run chase also featured a half-century stand by openers Sadaf Shamas (20) and Player of the Match Gull Feroza who batted with authority to score a run-a-ball 78 off 77 balls (11 fours).
Sidra Amin (57 off 94 balls, 5 fours) and Ayesha Zafar (27 off 31) kept Pakistan well within the required run rate and despite Sri Lanka picking up five wickets, victory was never in doubt as they won with seven overs to spare. The second WODI commences at the same venue on 25 July. – [ST]
Scores:
Sri Lanka Women 210-9 (50) (Vishmi Gunaratne 28, Chamari Athapaththu 46, Hasini Perera 35, Kavisha Dilhari 35, Nilakshika Silva 46*, Tasmia Rubab 2/34, Nashra Sandhu 3/42) vs. Pakistan Women 211-5 (43) (Sadaf Shamas 20, Gull Feroza 78, Sidra Amin 57, Ayesha Zafar 27*, Kavisha Dilhari 2/37)