SHARJAH: Pakistan staged a decided fightback to beat Sri Lanka by 31 runs of their opening sport of the Ladies’s T20 World Cup marketing campaign in Sharjah on Thursday.
Left-arm spinner Sadia Iqbal claimed three wickets with Nashra Sandhu, Omaima Sohail and Fatima Sana all taking two every for Pakistan as Asia Cup champions Sri Lanka fell comfortably in need of their goal of 117.
Pakistan wanted a vital lower-order knock from their captain Sana to submit a aggressive complete, having slumped to 84-8 after successful the toss and selecting to bat.
Sugandika Kumari had each Pakistan openers caught behind off her left-arm spin and the wickets continued to tumble at common intervals.
Sohail made 18 and Nida Dar added 23 however Pakistan appeared in peril of failing to succeed in 100 as Sri Lanka skipper Chamari Athapaththu picked up three wickets along with her off-spin.
Athapaththu completed with 3-18 and Kumari took 3-19 however Sana’s 30 off 20 balls, that includes three fours and a six, annoyed Sri Lanka and proved a match-winning contribution.
She was ultimately dismissed by left-arm seamer Udeshika Prabodhani, who ended with 3-20.
Pakistan misplaced opening bowler Diana Baig to a calf pressure after only one ball of the Sri Lanka innings, however her alternative Sana picked up the important wicket of Athapaththu — caught at additional cowl for six.
Sohail bowled Harshitha Samarawickrama and Hasini Perera cheaply, however whereas Vishmi Gunaratne remained on the crease there was hope for Sri Lanka.
Kavisha Dilhari holed out to long-on off Sandhu whereas attempting to extend the run fee to depart Sri Lanka reeling at 47-4 within the eleventh over.
Nilakshika Silva earned a reprieve when she was trapped lbw from a supply referred to as a useless ball after Sandhu’s towel fell out of her pocket.
However Gunaratne perished for 20 three balls later as she was caught simply contained in the boundary trying to hit Sandhu straight down the bottom.
Silva departed for 22 within the penultimate over after a prime edge to brief high quality leg.
Neither group has ever made it out of the group stage in eight earlier makes an attempt on the T20 World Cup.
Pakistan face arch-rivals India of their subsequent sport on Sunday, whereas Sri Lanka tackle match favourites Australia who’re bidding for a seventh title in 9 editions.
