With a thumping victory, Pakistan kicks off IWC campaign

Pakistan kicked up their ICC Women’s Championship 2022-25 campaign with an eight-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the opening ODI.

Summary of the match

The toss was won by Sri Lanka, who chose to bat first.

After losing the toss in the first ODI, Pakistan captain Bismah Maroof joked, “We’ll attempt to limit them and chase the score down.” As a result, the hosts romped to a resounding victory.

Sri Lanka appeared to be at sea from the outset, unable to put runs on the board.

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Hasini Perera was bowled in the fourth over due to a terrible mix-up, and their skipper Chamari Athapaththu, after playing some exquisite strokes, was also bowled before the end of the 15th over.

The visitors were reduced to 46/3 after losing a third wicket. Nilakshi de Silva and Prasadani Weerakkody were tasked with rebuilding at that time.

The pair made modest progress, but their efforts helped the Lankans avoid losing any more wickets. They gradually rebuilt the innings, bringing the score closer to 100.

Pakistan, on the other hand, struck back quickly after their half-century stand in the 30th over.

From there, it was all downhill for Sri Lanka, as the hosts took three quick wickets in four deliveries.

The visitors would have been in more difficulties if it hadn’t been for Kavisha Dilhari’s tenacious 49*.

Sri Lanka were bowled out for 169 in the 48th over, with Pakistan keeping things tight at the other end.

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Ghulam Fatima took four wickets, with Fatima Sana and Sadia Iqbal each taking two.

Pakistan was cautious at the start of their pursuit of 170 points. Sri Lanka made their first breakthrough when Achini Kulasuriya dismissed starter Muneeba Ali for 14 in the eighth over.

Unfortunately, that was the only scalp the guests were able to obtain. Bismah appeared at the crease and, with the help of Sidra Ameen, got the hosts off to a good start.

The innings were well managed by both batters. Pakistan hammered away at the low total, knowing when to slow down and when to accelerate. As Sri Lanka failed to create any opportunities, the tandem was hardly troubled.

Pakistan took advantage of misfields as a result of the visitors’ struggles on the field.

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The hitters each brought up their half-centuries. Sidra sliced one onto the stumps to fall for 76 with two runs needed to win. However, her 143-run partnership with Bismah (62*) guaranteed Pakistan’s eight-wicket victory in the 42nd over.

Player of the Match: Ghulam Fatima for her brilliant spell of 4/21

She picked up the wickets of Hansima Karunaratne, Prasadani Weerakkody, Oshadi Ranasinghe and Ama Kanchana.

IWC 2022-25 update

Pakistan get two crucial points after their resounding win. Two more ODIs remain in the series.

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