The Pakistan Women’s tour of Sri Lanka 2026 begins with an important ODI at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium in Hambantota, where Sri Lanka Women will take on Pakistan Women in the first match of the three-game series on July 23, 2026 (Thursday). The match is scheduled to begin at 10:00 AM IST.
Both teams will be looking to start the ODI series strongly after coming into the contest with contrasting recent results. Sri Lanka Women have won three of their last five matches, while Pakistan Women have won four of their previous five games. With both sides looking to build momentum in the ODI format, the opening match promises to be a competitive contest in Hambantota.
The recent head-to-head record between the two teams also adds interest to the series opener. Pakistan Women won three of the last five completed meetings listed, while Sri Lanka Women won one and the most recent encounter in October 2025 ended without a result. Pakistan will be hoping to continue their recent success against Sri Lanka, while the hosts will be keen to make a strong start on home soil.
Squads:
Sri Lanka Women’s Cricket Team
Chamari Athapaththu (C), Vishmi Gunaratne, Hasini Perera, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Hansima Karunaratne, Kavisha Dilhari, Nilakshika Silva, Anushka Sanjeewani, Chethana Vimukthi, Inoka Ranaweera, Nimasha Meepage, Imesha Dulani, Dewmi Vihanga, Rashmika Sewwandi, Kawya Kavindi
Pakistan Women’s Cricket Team
Fatima Sana (C), Ayesha Zafar, Gull Feroza, Maham Anees, Momina Riasat, Muneeba Ali, Najiha Alvi, Nashra Sandhu, Sadaf Shamas, Saira Jabeen, Sidra Amin, Syeda Aroob Shah, Tasmia Rubab, Umm-e-Hani, Waheeda Akhtar
Players to watch out:
Chamari Athapaththu
Chamari Athapaththu remains the biggest name in the Sri Lankan batting line-up and will be one of the key players to watch in the series opener. The experienced left-handed opener has played 126 WODIs, scoring 4,154 runs at an average of 34.61 and a strike rate of 75.45. She has nine ODI centuries and 20 half-centuries to her name, with a highest score of 195 not out. Athapaththu can also contribute with the ball when needed. She has taken 56 wickets in WODIs, with best figures of 4/42and an economy rate of 5.23.
Kavisha Dilhari
Kavisha Dilhari is another important all-round option for Sri Lanka. She has already played 44 WODIs, scoring 825 runsat an average of 25.78, with three half-centuries and a highest score of 84. Her bowling has also been valuable for Sri Lanka. Dilhari has taken 37 ODI wickets at an economy rate of 5.00, with best figures of 4/20. Her ability to contribute in both departments gives Sri Lanka useful balance. If the pitch begins to slow down during the match, Dilhari could become an important option with the ball.
Sadaf Shamas
Sadaf Shamas has been one of Pakistan’s most impressive batters in recent matches. She has scored 447 runs in her last six matches at an excellent average of 74.5, while maintaining a strike rate of 91.97. Her recent consistency will give Pakistan confidence at the top of the order. If she can build a strong partnership and bat deep into the innings, Pakistan will have a good chance of putting pressure on the Sri Lankan bowlers. Shamas will be one of the main players Pakistan will depend on for a strong start in the first ODI.
Fatima Sana
Pakistan captain Fatima Sana will be one of the most important players for her team in the series opener. The bowling all-rounder has taken 14 wickets in her last seven matches, with an economy rate of 6.38 and a strike rate of 19.28. Her recent wicket-taking form makes her a major threat with the ball. As captain, she will also have the responsibility of leading a relatively balanced Pakistan side in an important ODI series. Fatima’s ability to contribute with the ball and provide leadership could be crucial if the match becomes close.
Pitch:
The conditions can become more difficult for batting as the match progresses. The pitch usually provides good pace and bounce early in the innings, allowing batters to play their shots. However, as the surface becomes drier, spinners can start to get more assistance and make life difficult for batters. The historical average first-innings score in ODIs at the venue is around 242, while the second-innings average is roughly 188.
Weather:
The weather in Hambantota is expected to be mostly sunny during the match, with temperatures reaching around 30°C to 31°C during the afternoon. There could be some patchy rain around the early morning hours, but the forecast suggests that conditions should improve around the scheduled start time.
Fantasy Playing XI:
Chamari Athapaththu, Sadaf Shamas, Gull Feroza, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Sidra Amin, Kavisha Dilhari, Fatima Sana, Syeda Aroob Shah, Nashra Sandhu, Tasmia Rubab, Inoka Ranaweera
Match Details:
Date – July 23, 2026
Time – 10:00 AM IST
Venue – Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium, Hambantota
Broadcast – Live streaming for the Pakistan Women’s tour of Sri Lanka is exclusively available in India on the FanCode app and website.
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