As the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup unfolds, the second match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka promises to offer a stage where a few players stand on the brink of remarkable personal achievements.
First up is Sri Lankan star Harshitha Samarawickrama, who has already made her mark on the world stage. Her standout performance in the Women’s Asia Cup 2024 final against India is still fresh in the minds of fans, as she led Sri Lanka to an iconic victory. With 1463 runs from 65 matches, Samarawickrama is just 37 runs away from becoming only the second Sri Lankan woman to reach 1500 T20I runs, after the legendary Chamari Athapaththu.
Sri Lankan all-rounder Kavisha Dilhari, at just 23, has been steadily rising since her debut in 2018. With 965 international runs to her name, she now stands only 35 runs away from the coveted 1,000 international runs mark. Additionally, she is just 17 runs shy of reaching 500 runs in T20Is. Dilhari’s contributions extend beyond her batting, as she has claimed 50 T20I wickets, including a standout performance of 4 for 13.
On the Pakistan side, experienced batter Sidra Amin is poised for a significant milestone of her own. At 32 years of age and with a career spanning 60 T20I matches, Amin is just three runs shy of becoming the sixth Pakistani woman to cross the coveted 1000-run mark in T20Is. Currently sitting at 997 runs with a career-best score of 63 against the West Indies.
Pakistan’s all-rounder Aliya Riaz is on the cusp of achieving a significant career milestone, just 64 runs away from reaching 2,500 international runs. With an impressive tally of 2,436 runs across 163 matches, Riaz has proven to be a vital asset for Pakistan, both with the bat and the ball. In addition to her batting prowess, Riaz has contributed with 32 crucial wickets.
Historically, the two sides have faced off 20 times in T20Is, with Pakistan winning 10 and Sri Lanka triumphing in 9, alongside one no-results. However, momentum is on Sri Lanka’s side, as they have won the last three encounters, including a high-pressure semi-final in the Women’s Asia Cup 2024.
The match is set to commence at 7:30 PM IST at the iconic Sharjah Cricket Stadium in Sharjah. With both sides eyeing a strong start in the tournament, the atmosphere promises to be electric, making it a must-watch encounter.