Pakistan Women got off to a comfortable five-wicket win in the three-match ODI series against hosts Sri Lanka in Hambantota on Thursday.
Despite opting to bat first, Sri Lanka was restricted to 210 for 9 in their allotted 50 overs, a total that Pakistan overhauled with 42 balls to spare courtesy Gull Feroza's 77-ball 78 and Sidra Amin's patient 57.
Sri Lanka's innings began on a promising note as openers Vishmi Gunaratne and skipper Chamari Athapaththu laid a solid foundation. The pair put together a 56-run partnership for the first wicket before Gunaratne was caught off slow left-arm spinner Nashra Sandhu for 28. Athapaththu held the top order together with another half-century stand - adding 53 for the second wicket with Hasini Perera.
The captain made a composed 46 off 67 balls, featuring six boundaries, until Sandhu breached her defenses to send her packing.
Pakistan's bowling unit maintained disciplined lines throughout the middle overs, continually stalling Sri Lanka's momentum. Middle-order batters Perera and Kavisha Dilhari each laboured for 35 runs to keep the scoreboard moving.
However, Sandhu's precise spell of 3 for 42, combined with control from left-arm pacer Tasmia Rubab, who took 2 for 34, repeatedly broke budding partnerships. It took a late flourish from Nilakshi de Silva, who remained unbeaten on 46 off 50 deliveries, to lift the host side past the 200-mark.
Chasing a target of 211, Pakistan structured their reply around a dominant display from opener Feroza. Striking 11 boundaries in a counter-attacking 78 off 77 balls, Feroza dictated terms early on and put Pakistan firmly ahead of the required run rate.
She found an effective partner in Sidra Amin, who compiled a steady 57 off 94 balls to anchor the middle overs after the visitors lost Sadaf Shamas in the final Powerplay over.
Though Sri Lanka's bowlers attempted to claw their way back- with Dilhari finishing as the pick of the bowlers with 2 for 37 - Pakistan's batting lineup remained composed. The collapse of 3 for 22 came a little too late, and Ayesha Zafar - with 27* off 31 - steered the visitors safely across the finish line in the 43rd over. Feroza was named Player of the Match for her match-winning half-century, giving Pakistan a 1-0 lead in the series.
Brief scores:Sri Lanka 210/9 in 50 overs (Chamari Athapaththu 46, Nilakshika Silva 46*; Nashra Sandhu 3-42, Tasmina Rubab 2-34) lost to Pakistan 211/5 in 43 overs (Gull Feroza 78, Sidra Amin 57; Kavisha Dilhari 2-37) by 5 wickets
Source: Cricbuzz
--Agencies
