Pakistan responded to the challenge and stunned Sri Lanka by 31 runs in the first Women’s T20 World Cup match from Sharjah on Thursday.
Spin bowler Sadia Iqbal bagged three wickets, while Nashra Sandhu, Omaima Sohail, and Fatima Sana claimed two wickets apiece for Pakistan as Sri Lanka, the Asia Cup champions could not chase the target of 117.
Hosts Pakistan struggled to 84 for eight, before Sana’s valuable lower order innings helped the side to a reasonable score.
Sugandika Kumari had the two Pakistani openers nicely caught behind off left-arm spin and more wickets fell at regular intervals.
Sohail scored 18 and Nida Dar chipped in with a contribution of 23 but Pakistan seemed to be struggling to reach the three-figure mark before Sri Lanka’s trio of off-spinners missed out on three wickets.
Though Athapaththu managed 3-18 and Kumari 3-19, Sana played the match-winning knock of 30 in 20, with three fours and a six, aggravating Sri Lanka.
She was dismissed by left arm seamer Udeshika Prabodhani, who took 3-20 on the day.
Pakistan opening bowler Diana Baig suffered a calf strain while bowling only the first ball of the Sri Lanka innings and was replaced by Sana, who dismissed Athapaththu for six caught at third slip.
Sohail captained the bowling attack well and took out Harshitha Samarawickrama and Hasini Perera early but as long as Vishmi Gunaratne was still around there was a fight for Sri Lanka.
Kavisha Dilhari stranded for six, in an attempt to boost the run rate, Sri Lanka at a disastrous 47 for 4 in the 11th over.
This made Nilakshika Silva heave a sigh of relief when she was given out lbw in a delivery that was later called a dead ball because Sandhu’s towel had come out of her pocket.
But Gunaratne was dismissed for 20 three balls later when she got a very promising stroke straight down the ground that found her being caught just short of the rope against Sandhu.
Silva was dismissed for 22 when he skied one in the last but one over to short fine leg.
Combined, India and West Indies have not progressed past the first round in the T20 World Cup eight times previously.
Pakistan play arch enemies India in their next match on Sunday while Sri Lanka play a formidable Australian side who are currently striving for the seventh title of this version in nine.
