Sri Lanka Women produced a strong batting performance to beat Pakistan Women by eight wickets in the second ODI at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium in Hambantota on July 25, 2026 (Saturday). Chasing 274 runs, Sri Lanka reached 275/2 in 46.5 overs to level the three-match series 1-1. Vishmi Gunaratne and Harshitha Samarawickrama were the stars of the chase, scoring excellent centuries to put Sri Lanka in complete control.
After losing the first ODI by five wickets on July 23, 2026 (Thursday), Sri Lanka needed a strong response, and their batters delivered exactly that. Gunaratne led the way with a brilliant 123 from 123 balls, hitting 11 fours and one six. She played with control and confidence, keeping the scoreboard moving while also building a strong partnership after Sri Lanka lost an early wicket.
Captain Chamari Athapaththu was dismissed for just one run from six balls. She was caught by Najiha Alvi off the bowling of Pakistan captain Fatima Sana, leaving Sri Lanka at 20/1. The early wicket gave Pakistan some hope, but Gunaratne and Samarawickrama soon took the game away from the visitors with a huge second-wicket partnership.
The two batters added 203 runs together, taking Sri Lanka from 20/1 to 223/2. Gunaratne played an attacking role while Samarawickrama remained calm and built her innings steadily. Gunaratne reached 123 before she was stumped by Najiha Alvi off Nashra Sandhu in the 40th over.
By the time Gunaratne was dismissed, Sri Lanka needed only 51 more runs to win. Samarawickrama stayed at the crease and completed a well-deserved century. She finished unbeaten on 100 from 119 balls, hitting nine fours. Her patient innings gave Sri Lanka the perfect platform to finish the chase without any further trouble.
Kavisha Dilhari joined Samarawickrama and played an aggressive supporting innings. She remained unbeaten on 40 from only 33 balls, hitting five fours. The pair completed the chase with an unbeaten partnership as Sri Lanka reached 275/2 in 46.5 overs, winning with 19 balls remaining.
Pakistan had earlier posted a competitive 273/5 after being asked to bat first. Sidra Shams and Gull Feroza gave Pakistan a positive beginning, but both batters were dismissed before they could build a big opening partnership. Shams scored 12 from 16 balls, while Feroza made 27 from 33 deliveries.
Sidra Amin then played a superb unbeaten innings of 100 from 120 balls. She hit 13 fours and held the Pakistan innings together through the middle overs. Ayesha Zafar gave her valuable support with 49 from 45 balls, including five fours and two sixes, before being bowled by Dilhari.
Muneeba Ali also made an important contribution, scoring 45 from 62 balls. Captain Fatima Sana then provided a late push with a quick 25 from 18 deliveries, while Najiha Alvi finished unbeaten on eight. Pakistan reached 273/5 from their 50 overs.
Dilhari was Sri Lanka’s most successful bowler, taking 2/53 from her 10 overs. Athapaththu, Aluth Gedara Chethana Vimukthi and Inoka Ranaweera took one wicket each. However, Sri Lanka’s bowlers struggled to stop Pakistan from reaching a strong total.
Pakistan’s bowlers also found it difficult to contain Sri Lanka’s chase. Fatima Sana and Nashra Sandhu claimed one wicket each, but the 203-run partnership between Gunaratne and Samarawickrama completely changed the match.
The result has levelled the three-match ODI series 1-1, setting up a decisive final. The third ODI will be played at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium in Hambantota on July 28, 2026 (Tuesday). Both teams now have everything to play for as they fight for the series win.
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