In the 8th match of the Pakistan Women’s Under-19s T20 Tournament at Faisalabad, Sri Lanka Women U19 delivered a clinical performance to defeat Pakistan Women U19 by 6 wickets with 39 balls to spare. The young Sri Lankan side showcased exceptional tactical discipline, controlling the game through tight bowling in the first innings before executing a rapid, calculated run chase.
The match began with Pakistan Women U19’s opening pair of Komal Khan and Ravail Farhan taking the crease to build a steady platform. They put together a watchful 26-run opening partnership before Sri Lanka’s Yeshali Jithara made the crucial opening breakthrough in the fifth over, clean bowling Ravail Farhan for 14 off 15 balls, including two boundaries. Jithara struck again shortly after, removing Komal Khan for 12 off 17 balls (two boundaries) via a catch by Pramudi Methsara.
Shortly after, Zoofishan Ayyaz was caught out of her crease for a quick 9 off 7 balls with two fours following a sharp throw from Umayangana Peiris, leaving Pakistan at 40/2 in 6.2 overs. A sudden collapse ensued as the Sri Lankan bowlers kept a tight leash on the run rate. Aqsa Habib was dismissed for 20 off 25 balls (one four), caught and bowled by Limansa Thilakarathna at 77/6. Pakistan’s captain Fizza Fiaz managed only 9 off 14 balls with a single boundary before being caught by Chamudi Praboda off Nethmi Upeksha at 57/4 in 10.6 overs. Alzoha Hammad contributed 6 off 11 balls before Thilakarathna clean bowled her at 72/5.
Afsheen Imran was bowled by Thilakarathna for 3 off 5 balls at 95/7, and Mah Noor Iqbal was clean bowled by captain Chamudi Praboda for 1 off 5 balls. Despite the middle-order slide, Shahar Bano provided a much-needed counter-attacking cameo, remaining unbeaten on 24 off 18 balls with two towering sixes. Rozina Akram added 1 off 3 balls at the non-striker’s end, while Mahnoor Zeb did not bat, allowing Pakistan to finish their 20 overs at 105/8 with a run rate of 5.25.
Sri Lanka’s bowling attack was outstanding across the board. Limansa Thilakarathna stood out with remarkable figures of 3 wickets for 14 runs in 2 overs. Yeshali Jithara dismantled the top order with 2 for 20 in 3 overs, while captain Chamudi Praboda delivered a masterclass in economy, picking up 1 for 9 in her 4 full overs at an economy rate of just 2.25. Nethmi Upeksha chipped in with 1 for 8 in 2 overs. Supporting efforts came from Chamodhi Herath (0/20 in 4 overs), Pramudi Methsara (0/12 in 3 overs), and Aseni Thalagune (0/17 in 2 overs). Pakistan’s total was also assisted by 6 extras, including 4 byes, 1 leg bye, and 1 wide.
Chasing a target of 106, Sri Lanka Women U19 came out with aggressive intent from the very first ball. Wicketkeeper-batter Sanjana Kavindi led the charge with a game-defining knock of 46 off just 28 balls, striking 5 fours and 2 sixes at a strike rate of 164.28. Sri Lanka lost their first wicket at 24 runs in 3.5 overs when opener Vimoksha Balasuriya (10 off 11 balls, two fours) was caught behind by Zoofishan Ayyaz off Mah Noor Iqbal. Nethmi Upeksha then joined Kavindi and played a rapid cameo of 16 off 9 balls (four boundaries) before being run out by a sharp direct throw from Shahar Bano at 47/2 in 5.5 overs. Kavindi’s brilliant innings came to an end at 88/3 in 9.6 overs when she was trapped leg-before (lbw) by Rozina Akram.
Limansa Thilakarathna held the lower middle order together with an unbeaten 16 off 22 balls. Shashini Gimhani scored 9 off 10 balls (one four) before becoming Shahar Bano’s second run-out victim at 105/4 in 13.2 overs. Umayangana Peiris added 1 off 1 ball as Sri Lanka comfortably crossed the finishing line at 106/4 in just 13.3 overs, achieving a run rate of 7.85. The chase included 8 extras (4 leg byes and 4 wides), while Aseni Thalagune, Chamudi Praboda, Chamodhi Herath, Pramudi Methsara, and Yeshali Jithara were not needed to bat.
Pakistan’s bowling attack found it tough to halt the scoring momentum. Mah Noor Iqbal was the most successful bowler with 1 for 24 in 3 overs, while Rozina Akram picked up 1 for 28 in 2 overs. Mahnoor Zeb bowled economically for 0/19 in 3 overs, Afsheen Imran returned 0/17 in 3.3 overs, Alzoha Hammad conceded 0/5 in her single over, and Shahar Bano gave away 9 runs in her lone over. This comprehensive 6-wicket victory cements Sri Lanka Women U19’s tactical superiority in both departments during the tournament.
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