Sri Lanka Women Clinch ODI Series with Dominant Eight-Wicket Win Over Pakistan

HAMBANTOTA: Sri Lanka Women wrapped up the three-match ODI series with a convincing eight-wicket win over Pakistan Women in the deciding fixture at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium in Sooriyawewa on Tuesday, taking the series 2-1.

After being asked to bat first, Pakistan struggled to build substantial partnerships and were dismissed for 187 in 40 overs. The Sri Lankan bowlers maintained tight control throughout the innings, with Chethana Vimukthi, Kavisha Dilhari and skipper Chamari Athapaththu sharing the bulk of the wickets.

Pakistan captain Fatima Sana led the scoring with a 49-ball 41, which included two fours and a six. Opener Gull Feroza gave the visitors an attacking start by making 40 from 35 deliveries, hitting five boundaries.

Muneeba Ali contributed a patient 34 off 71 balls, while wicketkeeper Najiha Alvi chipped in with 30 from 39 deliveries, striking four fours. However, the remaining batters failed to provide meaningful support.

Sadaf Shamas scored nine off seven balls, while Sidra Amin and Ayesha Zafar were both dismissed without opening their accounts. Umm-e-Hani managed just one run, Syeda Aroob Shah added eight and Nashra Sandhu made five.

Vimukthi, Dilhari and Athapaththu picked up three wickets apiece for Sri Lanka, with veteran spinner Inoka Ranaweera accounting for the remaining dismissal.

In pursuit of 188, Sri Lanka produced a composed batting display and reached the target with two wickets in hand and 12 overs to spare.

Harshitha Samarawickrama guided the chase with an unbeaten 71 off 92 balls, decorated with 11 boundaries. Captain Athapaththu set the tone with a brisk 52 from only 38 deliveries, smashing seven fours and two sixes, while Hasini Perera compiled a steady half-century, scoring 50 off 77 balls with eight fours. Vishmi Gunaratne also made a useful contribution of 12 from 17 deliveries.

The result secured a 2-1 series triumph for Sri Lanka after Pakistan had bounced back to level the series in the second ODI following the hosts’ victory in the opener.