The three-match ODI series between Sri Lanka Women and Pakistan Women gets underway in Hambantota on July 23, 2026, with both sides eager to begin their ICC Women’s Championship campaign on a winning note. Pakistan arrives in Sri Lanka carrying plenty of confidence after an emphatic home series against Zimbabwe, where they completed a clean sweep and saw several batters produce consistent performances.
Earlier in the year, Pakistan also showed encouraging signs during their tour of South Africa despite losing the ODI series 2-1, proving they have the depth to challenge quality opposition away from home. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, enter the contest after winning an ODI series in Bangladesh and will look to make home conditions count. With experienced performers on both sides, the opening ODI could be decided by a handful of individual battles, and Pakistan will once again rely on three of their most dependable players, Sadaf Shamas, Gull Feroza and captain Fatima Sana.
Sadaf Shamas
Sadaf Shamas has quietly established herself as one of Pakistan Women’s most reliable top-order batters in the 50-over format. The right-hander comes into the Sri Lanka series in sensational form, having enjoyed a remarkable run during the recently concluded ODI series against Zimbabwe. Across the three ODIs, she amassed 289 runs, including scores of 98, 101 and 90, finishing as Pakistan’s leading run-scorer in the series. Before that, she had also impressed against South Africa with knocks of 61 and 97, meaning she has crossed fifty in five consecutive ODI innings, an extraordinary display of consistency that makes her one of the biggest threats in the Pakistan batting line-up. Her overall ODI numbers further underline her importance. In 23 ODIs, Shamas has accumulated 720 runs at an average of 34.28, including one century and five half-centuries, with a highest score of 101.
Gull Feroza
Another batter capable of making a decisive impact is Gull Feroza, who has rapidly established herself as a dependable presence at the top of Pakistan’s batting order. The wicketkeeper-batter heads into the Sri Lanka series after enjoying a breakthrough ODI campaign against Zimbabwe, where she was deservedly named the Player of the Series for her consistency and composure. Her partnerships with Sadaf Shamas gave Pakistan the ideal platform in each of the three victories, allowing the middle order to build on strong starts. The 27-year-old has featured in just seven ODIs but has already made a significant impression, scoring 277 runs at an outstanding average of 46.16. Her record includes two centuries and a half-century, with a career-best 106 not out, highlighting her ability to convert starts into match-winning innings.
Fatima Sana
Pakistan captain Fatima Sana remains the team’s biggest match-winner and will once again shoulder the responsibility of leading from the front in Hambantota. One of the premier all-rounders in the women’s game, the 24-year-old has consistently delivered with both bat and ball, making her the heartbeat of Pakistan’s ODI side. Her ability to strike with the new ball, bowl disciplined spells in the middle overs and finish strongly at the death makes her a constant threat against any opposition. Fatima’s ODI record reflects her all-round value. In 61 ODIs, she has claimed 82 wickets at an average of 27.78, with best figures of 5/39, while maintaining an economy rate of 5.48. Equally valuable with the bat, she has scored 785 runs, including five half-centuries, with a highest score of 90 not out, often rescuing Pakistan from difficult situations lower down the order.
Against Sri Lanka, Fatima’s influence is likely to extend across every phase of the game. Early wickets with the new ball could put the hosts under pressure, while another crucial contribution with the bat would strengthen Pakistan’s chances of making a winning start to their ICC Women’s Championship campaign. With her tactical awareness, experience and ability to deliver under pressure, the Pakistan skipper will once again be the player Sri Lanka must contain if they are to gain the upper hand in the series opener.
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