Sri Lanka Women produced a sensational run chase to defeat Pakistan Women by six wickets in the opening T20I at Dambulla, chasing down a competitive 177-run target with an over to spare. The Sri Lanka Women vs Pakistan Women clash had everything a cricket fan could ask for, aggressive batting, crucial partnerships, timely wickets, and a magnificent unbeaten century from Imesha Dulani, whose match-winning innings earned her the Player of the Match award. Despite Pakistan posting a formidable 176/7 in 20 overs, Sri Lanka held their nerve to finish on 177/4 in 19 overs, sealing an impressive victory with six balls remaining.
Pakistan Women made an explosive start after opting to bat, with captain Muneeba Ali and Shawaal Zulfiqar putting immediate pressure on the Sri Lankan bowlers. The pair raced to 50 runs in just 30 deliveries, taking advantage of the powerplay where Pakistan finished with 64/0 in six overs. Muneeba attacked from the outset, smashing 42 off just 24 balls, including nine boundaries, while Shawaal played the perfect supporting role before taking charge herself. Their opening stand of 66 runs in 6.3 overs finally ended when Muneeba was run out by Silva after a brilliant piece of fielding. The breakthrough gave Sri Lanka a much-needed opening after Pakistan’s flying start.
Following the dismissal, Eman Naser joined Shawaal Zulfiqar, and together they stitched a valuable 61-run partnership for the second wicket. Shawaal continued to dominate the scoring, reaching an excellent half-century off 34 deliveries, eventually scoring 63 from 41 balls, laced with 10 fours and a six. Eman contributed a composed 21 off 27 deliveries, rotating the strike effectively while allowing Shawaal to dictate terms. Their partnership carried Pakistan beyond the 100-run mark before Rashmika Sewwandi broke the stand by dismissing Eman at 127/2 in the 14.6th over.
Sri Lanka continued to chip away at regular intervals as the innings entered its final phase. Shawaal’s superb innings came to an end at 131/3 in the 15.2nd over, falling to Chamudi Praboda, who provided a crucial breakthrough. Ayesha Zafar then played a quick cameo of 17 from just 11 balls, striking two sixes to maintain Pakistan’s momentum. She shared a brisk partnership with Eyman Fatima, who managed 5 runs, before both departed in successive overs. Ayesha was dismissed at 169/6, while Saira Jabeen added a useful 13 off only 8 balls, hitting two boundaries before becoming Sugandika Kumari’s second wicket. Waheeda Akhtar was run out without scoring, while Umm-e-Hani remained unbeaten on 5 off 3 balls, alongside Nashra Sandhu (0*), as Pakistan concluded on 176/7, setting Sri Lanka a challenging target.
Sri Lanka’s bowling effort was built on collective contributions rather than one dominant spell. Kawya Kavindi bowled three overs for 30 runs. Kavisha Dilhari impressed with 2 wickets for 36 runs in four overs, removing both Eman Naseer and Eyman Fatima at critical moments. Chamudi Praboda claimed 1 for 29 from four overs, including the prized wicket of Shawaal Zulfiqar, while Kawya Kavindi returned figures of 1 for 30 in her three overs. Captain Chamari Athapaththu and Rashmika Sewwandi remained wicketless despite bowling economically during different phases.
Sri Lanka’s chase began positively as captain Chamari Athapaththu and Imesha Dulani immediately counterattacked. The opening duo added 78 runs in just 7.1 overs, putting Pakistan under pressure from the very beginning. Athapaththu played one of her trademark attacking knocks, scoring 39 from only 22 deliveries, hammering five fours and two sixes before falling to Nashra Sandhu, caught by Umm-e-Hani. While the captain departed after giving Sri Lanka a flying platform, Dulani continued unfazed and took complete control of the chase.
After Athapaththu’s dismissal, Vishmi Gunaratne struggled to accelerate and managed only 3 runs, becoming the second wicket to fall with the score at 90. Soon after, Harshitha Samarawickrama made 7 off 6 deliveries, but Nashra Sandhu struck again to leave Sri Lanka at 115/3, briefly bringing Pakistan back into the contest. The momentum shifted once more when Kavisha Dilhari joined Dulani. The pair added a composed 52-run fourth-wicket partnership, ensuring Sri Lanka remained firmly on course. Dilhari contributed 11 from 14 balls before being dismissed by Humna Bilal at 167/4, leaving only a handful of runs required.
With the finish line in sight, Nilakshika Silva provided the finishing touches alongside the outstanding Imesha Dulani. Silva remained unbeaten on 9 from 4 deliveries, striking at 225, while Dulani completed a memorable unbeaten 101 off just 64 balls, featuring 17 boundaries and one six at a strike rate of 157.81. Her calculated yet aggressive innings paced the chase brilliantly, anchoring Sri Lanka through every phase before sealing the victory with six balls remaining as the hosts finished on 177/4 in 19 overs.
Pakistan’s bowlers found early breakthroughs but struggled to contain Sri Lanka’s batting throughout the chase. Nashra Sandhu was the standout performer with 2 wickets for 25 runs in four overs, dismissing both Athapaththu and Harshitha Samarawickrama to keep Pakistan in contention. Umm-e-Hani claimed 1 for 37, removing the dangerous opening partnership, while Humna Bilal picked up 1 for 38, dismissing Kavisha Dilhari late in the innings. Waheeda Akhtar, Momina Riasat, and Ayesha Zafar went wicketless despite bowling important overs, as Sri Lanka’s batters maintained control for most of the chase.
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