Pakistan Opens Women’s T20I World Cup 2024 with 31-Run Victory Over Sri Lanka
In a thrilling opening match of the ICC Women’s T20I World Cup 2024, Pakistan’s women’s cricket team secured a dominant 31-run victory over Sri Lanka. The game, held in a charged atmosphere, saw Pakistan’s bowlers defend a modest target of 117 runs, restricting the Sri Lankan side to 85/9 in 20 overs.
The standout player of the match was Pakistan’s captain, Fatima Sana, who shone with both bat and ball. Fatima scored a crucial 30 runs with the bat, leading Pakistan’s innings with confidence. Her all-round performance was further highlighted by her bowling, where she claimed 2 wickets for just 10 runs in her 2.5 overs. For her remarkable contributions, Fatima was awarded the ‘Player of the Match’.
Pakistan’s Clinical Bowling Secures Victory
Pakistan’s bowlers executed their plans perfectly, making it difficult for Sri Lanka to chase down the total. Nilakshi de Silva and Vishmi Gunaratne were the only Sri Lankan batters to offer any resistance, scoring 22 and 20 runs respectively. Despite a promising start, the rest of the Sri Lankan lineup faltered under the pressure of Pakistan’s sharp bowling.
Pakistan’s bowlers, including Tuba Hasan, Nashra Sandhu, and Diana Baig, shared the spoils, each claiming 2 wickets. Their disciplined bowling and regular breakthroughs ensured that Sri Lanka was always behind the required run rate.
Fatima Sana’s All-Round Brilliance
Fatima Sana, leading from the front, played a key role in Pakistan’s victory. She top-scored for her side with an impressive 30 runs, which included a towering six and three boundaries. Her composed batting helped Pakistan post a competitive total of 116/10 in 19.4 overs. With the ball, she bowled economically and struck at crucial moments, ensuring Sri Lanka never found momentum in their chase.
Sri Lanka’s Struggles
Sri Lanka’s batting lineup faced a tough challenge from Pakistan’s bowlers. Apart from Nilakshi de Silva and Vishmi Gunaratne, the other batters failed to make a significant impact. Despite their reputation as Asia’s kings, Sri Lanka’s inability to build partnerships proved costly in their pursuit of the target.
This victory gives Pakistan a strong start in the Women’s T20I World Cup 2024, while Sri Lanka will look to regroup and bounce back in their next fixture.
PAKW 116 (20) | SLW 85/9 (20) | Pakistan Women won by 31 runs
Fatima Sana
