Pakistan Vs Sri Lanka Highlights, Women's T20 WC 2024: PAK-W Defeat SL-W By 31 Runs In Opener

The Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, ICC Women’s T20 World Cup matches will be telecast on the Star Sports Network in India, and they will be live-streamed on the Disney+Hotstar app and website in India.

In Pakistan, fans can watch the match on PTV Sports on TV and live stream on Myco app and website. For fans in Sri Lanka, TV1, Sirasa TV and Shakti TV are the options.

Pakistan: Fatima Sana (c), Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Gull Feroza, Iram Javed, Muneeba Ali, Nashra Sundhu, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal (subject to fitness), Sidra Amin, Syeda Aroob Shah, Tasmia Rubab, Tuba Hassan

Sri Lanka: Chamari Athapaththu (c), Anushka Sanjeewani, Harshitha Madhavi, Nilakshika de Silva, Inoka Ranaweera, Hasini Perera, Kavisha Dilhari, Sachini Nisansala, Vishmi Gunaratne, Udeshika Prabodhani, Achini Kulasuriya, Sugandika Kumari, Inoshi Priyadharshani, Shashini Gimhani, Ama Kanchana.

Pakistan Women have won the toss and have opted to bat first against Sri Lanka Women at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

What the captains said:

Fatima Sana (PAK): We would want to bat first, want to put maximum total here. Last match the pitch was a bit slow, we want to put maximum total as we know Sri Lanka are a strong team. Little nervous but very excited.

Chamari Athapaththu (SL):  It's a fresh day today and fresh game in front of us (talking about the mood in the camp after becoming the Asia Cup champions recently). Had we won the toss, we would have bowled first. We were playing good cricket in the last couple of months and we want to continue that. We want to restrict them to a low total

Sri Lanka Women (Playing XI): Vishmi Gunaratne, Chamari Athapaththu(c), Harshitha Samarawickrama, Kavisha Dilhari, Anushka Sanjeewani(w), Nilakshi de Silva, Hasini Perera, Sugandika Kumari, Inoshi Priyadharshani, Sachini Nisansala, Udeshika Prabodhani

Pakistan Women (Playing XI): Muneeba Ali(w), Gull Feroza, Sidra Amin, Nida Dar, Aliya Riaz, Fatima Sana(c), Tuba Hassan, Nashra Sandhu, Diana Baig, Sadia Iqbal, Omaima Sohail

Pakistan Women and Sri Lanka Women have clashed 20 times previously, with PAK-W winning 10 matches and SL-W securing 9 victories, while one match ended without a result.

H2H: PAK-W 10-9 SL-W

After the national anthems of Pakistan and Sri Lanka echoed through Sharjah Stadium, Fatima Sana's team in green and Chamari Athapaththu's squad in blue have taken the field.

Opener Muneeba Ali and Feroza Gull are at the crease heating up Pakistan's innings.

Pacer Udeshika Prabodhani gets in action to bowl the first over for Sri Lanka.

PAK - 4/0 (1)

Sri Lanka strikes early, claiming a wicket in the second over as Sugandika Kumari dismisses Feroza Gull, who is caught by keeper Anushka Sanjeewani after scoring just 2 runs off 4 balls.

Now, right-handed batter Sidra Amin steps up to the crease.

It’s a precarious situation for Pakistan's morale! They’ve lost both openers as Sugandika Kumari claims Muneeba Ali in the 3.4 overs, with another brilliant catch by Anushka Sanjeewani behind the stumps.

Now, Omaima Sohail, a right-handed batter, steps up to the crease.

Inoshi Priyadharshani, bowling right-arm off break, enters the attack.

PAK-W: 25/2 (4.4)

During the powerplay, Pakistan have managed just 29 runs for 2 wickets. Then came Chamari Athapaththu, who dismisses Sidra Amin for 12 runs off 10 balls, leaving Pakistan at 32/3 in 5.5 overs—declaring that the Lankans are ready to attack rather than defend!

Now, Nida Dar comes to the crease.

PAK-W: 39-3(7.2)

Unbelievable! In just ten overs, Pakistan find themselves to be struggling with 4 wickets down, having scored only 57 runs. Kavisha Dilhari, who was attacking Omaima Sohail got her OUT for 19 runs off 18 balls. Caught at 57/4 in 9.6 overs, Sohail departs thanks to a brilliant catch by Perera.

PAK-W: 58-4 (10.1)

The 13th over bring no respite for Pakistan as Nida Dar, a key hope for Fatima Sana's side, departs, falling victim to Prabodhani’s attack! Prabodhani bowled full and straight at middle stump; Nida missed, and the stumps were shattered.

Now, the captain Fatima Sana strides to the crease, looking to stabilize the innings of her team.

PAK-W: 73-5 (13)

The Lankan's skipper Chamari Athapaththu is just on fire! She claims yet another and this time a back to back wickets in quick succession, trapping Aliya Riaz lbw for a duck and then having Tuba Hassan caught behind for 5. Pakistan's struggles deepen. Will they be able to complete a hundred?

PAK-W: 77-7(14.1)

Sugandika adds to Pakistan's woes yet again, taking the wicket of Diana Baig for just 2 runs off 4 balls. The collapse continues as the Lankan attack grows stronger.

Nashra Sandhu has come to the crease and hit a FOUR off Chamari's delivery!

PAK-W: 90-8 (15.4)

In 18 balls, the skipper pf Pakistan, Fatima Sana, has hit three boundaries and one six, pushing Pakistan's total past 100. With only an over remaining, she’s hunting for magic or just a few more runs to lift her team.

PAK-W: 111-8 (19)

Thanks to Fatima Sana's spirited cameo, Pakistan finish with 116 runs after facing the threat of a low total at one point. Sri Lankan bowlers, led by Chamari Athapaththu and Sugandika Kumari, each claiming three wickets, have maintained tight control throughout the innings.

PAK-W: 116/8 (20)

The teams have switched sides now.

Sri Lanka's openers, Chamari Athapaththu and Vishmi Gunaratne, take the crease. The play resumes with Diana Baig leading the attack for Pakistan.

Oh no! Diana Baig suddenly stopped her run-up and is now struggling on one leg, clutching her calf in discomfort. The physio has come onto the field, beginning to take off the strapping on her right leg. She departs the field in pain.

Now the right-arm fast-medium Fatima Sana takes the attacking role.

SL-W: 4/0 (1.2)

It's skipper vs. skipper

Chamari Athapaththu started strong, hitting a boundary in the second over, but then Pakistan’s Fatima Sana struck back, dismissing the Sri Lankan skipper with a catch by Omaima Sohail!

SL-W: 20-1 (4)

Sri Lanka suffer two more setbacks within four overs! Harshitha Madavi was dismissed by Omaima Sohail in the sixth over and then Sohail struck again, bowling out Perera in the eighth over.

Currently at the crease are Vishmi Gunaratne and Kavisha Dilhari.

SL-W: 40-3 (9.2)

Meanwhile, catch a glimpse of India’s campaign opener as they face New Zealand on Friday. A stellar performance from the senior players will be crucial as India seek a strong start in their opening Group A match, aiming to erase the memories of past near-misses. Read more about the India-W vs New Zealand-W match here.

In another four-over stretch, Sri Lanka has suffered the loss of two more wickets! It appears the Pakistani bowlers are stepping up to redeem themselves after a disappointing batting display.

Kavisha Dilhari caught by Nida Dar off Nashra Sandhu's delivery while attempting a swipe, misplayed a slow, spinning ball, ending her innings at just 3 runs from 8 balls.

Vishmi Gunaratne follows shortly after, caught by Sidra Amin for 20 runs off 34 balls. She lofted a tossed-up delivery straight to Amin at long-off.

SLW: 55-5(14)

What a collapse we’re witnessing! With just a few minutes left in the game, the tides have turned dramatically. Pakistan, initially down after posting a low total, now find new life, while Chamari’s side still has a chance to recover.

Sadia Iqbal adds her name to the list of wicket-takers, dismissing Sanjeewani—caught out!

Now, Sri Lanka Women need 37 runs from just 12 balls.

SL-W: 71-6 (16.5)

Sadia Iqbal delivers another blow, dismissing Sugandika Kumari LBW.

Now, Inoshi Priyadharshani steps up to the crease with just 7 balls remaining and 35 runs needed to secure a victory.

No hopes for the Lankans so far

SL-W: 82-8 (18.5)

In a remarkable comeback, Pakistan claimed a 31-run win against Sri Lanka in their Women's T20 World Cup 2024 campaign opener. Despite a modest total, Fatima Sana rocked with both the bat and the ball. Early strikes of PAK bowlers left Sri Lanka struggling with just three boundaries in the powerplay, and then every four overs saw two wickets down.

SL-W: 85/9(20)

Fatima Sana | Pakistan Captain: The whole management gave me a lot of confidence. We wanted to get a lot of runs on the board, and we wanted to achieve the maximum target we could. (On Diana Baig) She was injured and I was nervous because she is one of her main bowlers. So I had to come in and bowl, I will ask her how she is now. We need to build on this momentum and win as many games as possible.

Chamari Athapaththu | Sri Lanka Captain: Firstly, want to congragulate Fatima Sana. She was really leading from the front. We struggled to chase 120, we have to adjust to these conditions, can't complain. We bowled well but we need to bat really good as well in these conditons. I feel it is tricky because the wicket is slow and low, and the outfield is tricky as well. We need to play postiive, fearless cricket and have the right approach. We know Australia is a very good team but if we play our best cricket, we can beat anyone. Just need to adjust to these conditions quickly.

In a match marked by ups and downs, Fatima Sana's decision to bat first initially backfired as Pakistan posted an underwhelming total. With Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu delivering an impressive 3/18, alongside Sugandika Kumari's 3/19 and Udeshika Prabodhani's 3/20, the choice appeared even more questionable. But it all awaited a surprising turn of events. Read the full report HERE.

Next up in their Group A fixtures, Pakistan will face arch rivals India on October 6 at the Dubai International Stadium. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka have a tough challenge ahead, going up against defending champions Australia on October 5 at Sharjah Stadium.

That wraps up today’s action in the Women’s T20 World Cup! Thank you for joining us. Be sure to tune in tomorrow for live coverage of the South Africa Women vs West Indies Women match, as well as India vs New Zealand. Have a good night!