Pakistan Women produced a clinical all-round display to defeat Sri Lanka Women by five wickets in the opening One-Day International, chasing down a modest target of 211 with 42 balls to spare and taking a 1-0 lead in the series.
After being asked to bat, Sri Lanka struggled to convert promising starts into substantial scores as Pakistan’s disciplined bowling attack kept the hosts in check throughout the innings.
Openers Vishmi Gunaratne and Chamari Athapaththu gave Sri Lanka a solid platform with a 56-run opening partnership before Nashra Sandhu struck the first blow by removing Gunaratne for 28. The left-arm spinner then accounted for skipper Athapaththu, who top-scored with a fluent 46 off 67 deliveries, including six boundaries.
Hasini Perera added a patient 35 while Kavisha Dilhari contributed another 35 to keep the innings moving. However, regular wickets prevented Sri Lanka from building the momentum required for a competitive total.
Nilakshika Silva fought until the end with an unbeaten 46 from 50 balls, helping Sri Lanka reach 210 for nine from their allotted 50 overs despite losing wickets in the closing stages.
Sandhu was Pakistan’s standout bowler with figures of 3 for 42, while Tasmia Rubab claimed two wickets. Umm-e-Hani, Syeda Aroob Shah and captain Fatima Sana also chipped in with a wicket each in a disciplined bowling performance.
Pakistan’s chase was built around a commanding opening partnership as Gull Feroza took the attack to the Sri Lankan bowlers. The opener struck 78 from just 77 deliveries, finding the boundary 11 times to put the visitors firmly in control.
After Feroza departed, trapped leg-before by Dilhari, experienced batter Sidra Amin assumed responsibility for guiding the innings. Her composed 57 off 94 balls ensured Pakistan remained on course despite a few wickets falling in the middle overs.
Ayesha Zafar then finished the chase in style, remaining unbeaten on 27, while wicketkeeper Najiha Alvi chipped in with 13 as Pakistan reached 211 for five in the 43rd over.
For Sri Lanka, Dilhari was the pick of the bowlers with two wickets, while Chamari Athapaththu, Inoka Ranaweera and Nimasha Meepage claimed one apiece. However, the hosts were left to rue another batting effort that lacked a major partnership, allowing Pakistan to complete a comfortable victory and seize the early advantage in the ODI series.
Brief Scores:
Sri Lanka Women 210/9 (50 overs) (Chamari Athapaththu 46, Nilakshika Silva 46*; Nashra Sandhu 3/42, Tasmia Rubab 2/34).
Pakistan Women 211/5 (43 overs) (Gull Feroza 78, Sidra Amin 57, Ayesha Zafar 27*; Kavisha Dilhari 2/37).
