Pakistan Women had some ups and downs in the final T20I but they managed to pull off a four-wicket whitewash against Sri Lanka in Karachi, chasing down the required 108 on the final ball on Sunday (May 28).
Pakistan Women had some ups and downs in the final T20I but they managed to pull off a four-wicket whitewash against Sri Lanka in Karachi, chasing down the required 108 on the final ball on Sunday (May 28).
With the below-par total, Pakistan lost the opener, Iram Javed, in the third over and Omaima Sohail in the eighth but the wicket-keeper batter Muneeba Ali kept them in the chase with a 33-ball 25.
But Sri Lanka fought back to take the game into the final over with Oshadi Ranasinghe’s three-wicket in the middle overs and Kavisha Dilhari picking up late wickets to keep Sri Lanka in the game.
Eight runs were required in the last over as Bismah Maroof and Kainat Imtiaz held their nerve to take Pakistan across the line after getting a double on the final ball.
Batting first, Sri Lanka got a juicy start with the openers – Hasini Perera and the skipper Athapaththu – putting a 69 runs stand in 11 overs.
From there, Pakistan made an incredible comeback to restrict Sri Lanka to 83/7 within five overs including four run-outs during that time. An unbeaten 14 from Anushka Sanjeewani and Sugandika Kumari’s 10 helped them cross the 100 runs mark but it was a total that was quite easy for Pakistan.
Bismah Maroof, Pakistan Captain, for the POTM and two run-outs:
Credit to the players. It was great to watch, a dream debut for Tuba. Hope she continues. Ideal to give to the youngsters who have responded well. We want to continue the momentum for the important ODI series as that carries points as well.
Chamari Athapaththu, Sri Lanka Captain:
We tried to score more. The start was good but the run-outs set us back. Some players focus too much on getting singles and are not trusting their hitting abilities. That’s leading to run-outs. There are positives as we fought till the end. Hope the girls come good for the ODIs.
Tuba Hassan is the POTS:
It feels amazing. I am grateful to the captain and the support staff for their assistance. I aimed to hit good lengths and it just went right for me. I hope to carry the work forward.
Brief scores: Sri Lanka Women 107/8 in 20 overs (Hasini Perera 24, Athapaththu 37) lost to Pakistan Women 108/6 in 20 overs (Muneeba Ali 25; Oshadi Ranasinghe 3-18, Kavisha Dilhari 2-28) by 4 wickets.