Sri Lanka Women produced a clinical chase to secure the 3-match T20I series with an impressive six-wicket victory over Pakistan Women in the second T20I at Dambulla on August 2, 2026. Chasing a challenging target of 176, the hosts displayed fearless batting throughout the innings, with significant contributions from Sanjana Kavindi, Chamari Athapaththu, Vishmi Gunaratne and Harshitha Samarawickrama, eventually reaching 178/4 in 17.4 overs with 14 balls to spare.
Sanjana Kavindi’s breathtaking 46 off just 24 deliveries earned her the Player of the Match award as Sri Lanka Women showcased one of their finest batting performances in recent times. Despite Pakistan Women posting a competitive 175/5, powered by contributions from several batters, their bowlers were unable to contain Sri Lanka’s relentless attack. The victory ensured an exciting finish to the series while highlighting Sri Lanka Women’s growing confidence in T20 cricket.
Opting to bat first, Pakistan Women began positively during the mandatory powerplay as openers Muneeba Ali and Shawal Zulfiqar immediately looked to put pressure on the Sri Lankan attack. Muneeba was particularly fluent through the off-side while Shawal matched her stroke for stroke, allowing Pakistan to race to 68 without loss in the first six overs. The opening stand proved invaluable, with the duo adding 90 runs for the first wicket in just 9.5 overs, laying a strong foundation. Pakistan reached their first 50 in only 3.5 overs (23 balls), reflecting the aggressive intent shown by both openers.
Muneeba Ali struck 45 off 30 balls, smashing six fours and a six, while Shawal Zulfiqar played an equally entertaining innings of 48 from 35 deliveries, hitting eight boundaries. Sri Lanka finally broke through when Chamari Athapaththu dismissed Muneeba, caught by Rashmika Sewwandi, before Chamudi Praboda trapped Shawal leg before wicket just two deliveries short of her half-century. At the first drinks break, Pakistan stood strongly at 90/1 after 9.5 overs, seemingly on course for a 190-plus total.
Pakistan, however, struggled to maintain the same momentum during the middle overs as Sri Lanka’s bowlers tightened their lines considerably. Eman Naseer tried to keep the scoring rate high with a brisk 21 off 21 balls, including a boundary and a six, but she found little sustained support. Ayesha Zafar managed only 8 from 5 balls before becoming Kavisha Dilhari’s victim, while Saira Jabeen contributed 16 off 9 deliveries, striking three boundaries before falling to Chamudi Praboda.
Pakistan crossed the 100-run mark in 12.1 overs and later brought up 150 in 17.4 overs, but Sri Lanka continued to chip away with timely wickets. The fifth-wicket partnership between Eman Naseer and Eyman Fatima briefly revived the innings before Athapaththu removed Eman for 21. Eyman Fatima then anchored the closing stages brilliantly with an unbeaten 30 off 19 deliveries, striking three fours and two sixes, while Umm-e-Hani remained unbeaten on 2 off 1 ball. Pakistan concluded on 175/5 in their allotted 20 overs, a total that appeared competitive on a surface offering true bounce.
Sri Lanka’s bowling effort was built around collective discipline rather than outright domination. Chamudi Praboda emerged as the most successful bowler, finishing with 2/27 in four overs, maintaining an economy of 6.75. Captain Chamari Athapaththu once again proved her value as an all-rounder, claiming 1/32 from four overs. Sugandika Kumari also picked up an important breakthrough by removing Ayesha Zafar and returned figures of 1/37, while Kavisha Dilhari claimed 1/29. Kawya Kavindi bowled economically during the powerplay despite conceding 28 runs in three overs, whereas Rashmika Sewwandi completed one over and remained wicketless.
The run chase began with immediate drama as Pakistan struck in the opening over. Waheeda Akhtar dismissed Imesha Dulani for 5, reducing Sri Lanka to 11/1 in 1.3 overs. Rather than allowing Pakistan to dictate terms, captain Chamari Athapaththu launched a fierce counterattack. Joining hands with the in-form Sanjana Kavindi, the pair produced the defining partnership of the contest. Sri Lanka reached 50 in just 3.6 overs, and the duo consistently targeted anything short or overpitched.
Athapaththu hammered 40 from only 15 balls, smashing five fours and three sixes at a remarkable strike rate of 266.66, while Sanjana Kavindi matched her aggression with elegant strokeplay. Their 44-run second-wicket partnership came at lightning pace before Waheeda Akhtar returned to dismiss Athapaththu, caught by Umm-e-Hani. By then, however, Sri Lanka had completely wrestled momentum away from Pakistan. At the halfway stage, the hosts had surged to 104/2 in 10 overs, with Sanjana continuing to dominate.
Sanjana Kavindi then found another capable partner in Vishmi Gunaratne, and together they further dismantled Pakistan’s bowling attack. Sri Lanka crossed 100 in only 9.4 overs, highlighting the extraordinary tempo of the chase. The pair added another valuable stand before Sanjana eventually departed after a scintillating 46 off just 24 deliveries, decorated with six fours and two sixes, becoming Ayesha Zafar’s lone wicket. Vishmi continued positively, compiling 31 from 29 balls, including four boundaries, before Umm-e-Hani removed her with Sri Lanka needing just a few more runs.
At 148/4 in 15.1 overs, Pakistan briefly sensed an opportunity, but Harshitha Samarawickrama calmly ensured there would be no late collapse. Remaining unbeaten on 37 from 22 deliveries, Harshitha struck eight boundaries, rotating the strike beautifully while punishing loose deliveries. Kavisha Dilhari supported her effectively with an unbeaten 14 off 8 balls, adding the finishing touches as the pair comfortably guided Sri Lanka to 178/4 in 17.4 overs, sealing victory with an unbeaten 30-run fifth-wicket partnership.
Pakistan’s bowling unit struggled to contain Sri Lanka’s attacking approach despite picking up four wickets. Waheeda Akhtar was the standout performer, returning 1/24 from her two overs, dismissing both Imesha Dulani and Chamari Athapaththu during the powerplay. Umm-e-Hani also impressed with 2/28 in four overs. Ayesha Zafar claimed 1/24 from two overs, while Momina Riasat bowled tidily for 0/22 in three overs. Tasmia Rubab conceded 27 runs in two overs, Nashra Sandhu leaked 32 from three overs, Saira Jabeen gave away 16 in one over, and Shawaal Zulfiqar bowled the final four deliveries of the innings without taking a wicket.
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