Dambulla (Sports News): Sri Lanka women beat Pakistan women by six wickets in the second T20I at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on Sunday to take an unassailable lead in the three-match T20I series. The third match of the series will be played at the same venue on Tuesday, 4 August.
After captain Muneeba Ali opted to bat first, Pakistan made a flying start through Muneeba and Shawaal Zulfiqar. The opening pair added 90 runs in 9.5 overs and provided the visitors with an excellent platform.
Pakistan raced to 68 without loss in the powerplay, with both openers finding the boundary regularly. Muneeba struck six fours and a six during her 30-ball 45, while Shawaal top-scored with 48 from 35 balls, smashing eight fours.
Sri Lanka removed both openers in quick succession, but Pakistan continued to maintain a healthy scoring rate. Eman Naseer contributed 21 from 21 balls, while Saira Jabeen struck three fours in a nine-ball 16.
Eyman Fatima provided the late acceleration with an unbeaten 30 from only 19 balls. Her innings included three fours and two sixes and helped Pakistan collect 46 runs from the final five overs. Umm-e-Hani remained unbeaten on two as Pakistan finished on 175 for five from their allotted 20 overs.
Chamudi Praboda was Sri Lanka’s most successful bowler, taking two wickets for 27 runs.
Defending 176, Pakistan made an early breakthrough when Waheeda Akhtar dismissed Imesha Dulani for five in the second over.
Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu then counter-attacked with a 15-ball 40, hitting five fours and three sixes. Umm-e-Hani ended her innings before also dismissing Vishmi Gunaratne for 31 to finish as Pakistan’s leading bowler with two wickets for 28 runs from four overs.
Sanjana Kavindi, playing her first T20I, scored 46 from 24 balls, while Harshitha Samarawickrama remained unbeaten on 37 from 22 deliveries. Kavisha Dilhari contributed an unbeaten 14 as the hosts achieved the target with four wickets down in 17.4 overs.
Scores in brief
Pakistan 175-5, 20 overs (Shawaal Zulfiqar 48, Muneeba Ali 45, Eyman Fatima 30 not out; Chamudi Praboda 2-27)
Sri Lanka 178-4, 17.4 overs (Sanjana Kavindi 46, Chamari Athapaththu 40, Harshitha Samarawickrama 37 not out; Umm-e-Hani 2-28)
Player of the match: Sanjana Kavindi (Sri Lanka)
