Pakistan down Sri Lanka by 31-run in their Women’s T20 World Cup opener

SHARJAH (Agencies): Pakistan delivered a stunning performance as Sri Lanka fell 31 runs short of the 117-run target in the second match of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup on Thursday at Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Sri Lanka only managed 85 runs for the loss of nine wickets, with Pakistan showcasing their bowling prowess. Despite brief resistance from Nilakshika Silva (22 off 25 balls) and Vishmi Gunaratne (20 off 34 balls), the rest of the Sri Lankan batting lineup struggled against Pakistan’s disciplined bowling attack.  Sadia Iqbal was the star with the ball, taking three wickets, while Omaima Sohail, Nashra Sandhu, and Fatima Sana took two wickets each, securing Pakistan’s 31-run victory. Earlier, Pakistan’s innings struggled as they were bowled out for 116 runs after winning the toss and opting to bat first. Sri Lankan bowlers put Pakistan under early pressure, with Sugandika Kumari dismissing openers Muneeba Ali and Gull Feroza inside four overs, leaving Pakistan reeling at 17/2.

Captain Chamari Athapaththu further dented Pakistan’s top order by removing Sidra Amin, who scored 12 off 10 deliveries.  Nida Dar and Omaima Sohail then stitched together a 25-run partnership before Kavisha Dilhari dismissed Omaima for 18. Dar, Pakistan’s experienced all-rounder, managed 23 off 22 balls before being bowled by Udeshika Prabodhani. Sri Lanka continued to dominate, with Athapaththu dismissing Tuba Hassan (5) and Aliya Riaz on consecutive deliveries. Pakistan found themselves in deep trouble at 84/8, but a late push from captain Fatima Sana, who scored a valuable 30 off 20 balls, lifted Pakistan to a defendable total of 116. For Sri Lanka, Athapaththu, Kumari, and Prabodhani each claimed three wickets, while Dilhari took one. However, Sri Lanka’s inability to chase the target allowed Pakistan to secure a crucial victory. With this win, Pakistan registered their first victory of the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, while Sri Lanka will need to regroup ahead of their next fixture.

Brief scores:

Pakistan 116 (Sana 30, Dar 23, Athapaththu 3-18, Sugandika 3-19, Prabodhani 3-20) beat Sri Lanka 85 for 9 (Silva 22, Iqbal 3-17) by 31 runs.

Bangladesh ’emotional’ after first win in 10 years:

SHARJAH (Agencies): Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana Joty on Thursday described her team’s first victory in a Women’s T20 World Cup match for a decade as “very emotional” and suggested it would create “momentum” for the women’s game at home. Bangladesh secured a 16-run win over Scotland in their World Cup opener in Sharjah after posting what appeared to be a flimsy 119-7 in their 20 overs. Their bowling attack, however, tied the Scots down and restricted them to 103-7. “I would say that a win after 10 years, we all are very emotional because we have been waiting for this victory for a long time,” said Joty who was playing in her 100th T20I. “No matter how good the cricket we play, if it doesn’t translate into victory, it means nothing. And I would say for women’s cricket, after a long time, I feel like we have done something. “We have always said about Bangladesh that we have to create momentum and then we will move forward with that momentum. Now it seems like we are going to dream of doing something bigger. Similarly, the fans and family who support us in Bangladesh are dreaming that we can do something better than that.”

The momentum for women’s cricket in Bangladesh would have had a far bigger boost had they been staging the event as planned. Instead, weeks of widespread political unrest in Bangladesh, which eventually led to the installation of an interim government, saw the tournament switched to the United Arab Emirates, with Bangladesh remaining as nominal hosts. Scotland’s Saskia Horley, who took 3-13 at the back end of the Bangladesh innings, admitted there was “a bit of disappointment” about losing their first T20 World Cup match but said there was “a hell of a lot of passion and pride” about competing at the World Cup. Bangladesh remain in Sharjah for their next Group B game against England on Saturday while Scotland, who were playing their first ever T20 World Cup match, will be up against former champions West Indies in Dubai on Sunday.

Brief scores:

Bangladesh 119 for 7 (Mostary 36, Rani 29; Horley 3-13) beat Scotland 103 for 7 (Sarah Bryce 49 not out, Moni 2-15) by 16 runs.