Key Takeaways
- Gull Feroza and Sidra Amin scored half-centuries for Pakistan.
- Pakistan won the match with a score of 211-5, chasing down 210-9 by Sri Lanka.
- Nashra Sandhu was the standout bowler for Pakistan, taking three wickets.
In their first One Day International (ODI) match on Thursday at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium in Hambantota, Pakistan's women’s cricket team secured a comfortable five-wicket victory over Sri Lanka. The win marks Pakistan’s fifth consecutive triumph in the ICC Women’s Championship 2025-29 and places them second on the points table behind New Zealand.
Gull Feroza and Sidra Amin were instrumental in Pakistan's success, both scoring half-centuries. Gull made a fluent 78 off 77 balls, while Sidra anchored the innings with an unbeaten 57 from 94 deliveries. Their partnership of 90 for the second wicket laid the foundation for Pakistan’s victory.
Pakistan was asked to bat first and made a promising start as Vishmi Gunaratne and Sri Lanka's captain Chamari Athapaththu put on 56 runs for the opening wicket. However, Nashra Sandhu, who was named player of the match, dismissed both players early in the innings. Athapaththu then added 53 with Hasini Perera before being bowled by Sandhu herself.
Despite a strong start, Sri Lanka struggled to build a substantial total. Kavisha Dilhari and Nilakshika Silva contributed 35 runs each, while Athapaththu remained unbeaten on 46. However, in the final seven overs, Sri Lanka lost five wickets for just 32 runs, finishing with a score of 210-9.
Pakistan’s disciplined bowling and strong fielding kept Sri Lanka at bay. Nashra Sandhu was the standout performer, taking three wickets for 42 runs. Tasmia Rubab claimed two wickets for 34 runs, while Umm-e-Hani and Syeda Aroob Shah each took one wicket.
Pakistan’s chase was set up by an opening stand of 58 between Gull Feroza and Sadaf Shamas. Although Sadaf fell for 20, Gull continued to attack and put on 90 with Sidra for the second wicket. Sidra reached her half-century from 84 balls before being bowled by Inoka Ranaweera for 57.
Pakistan completed their chase in 43 overs, with Ayesha Zafar staying unbeaten on 27 runs off 31 deliveries. Captain Fatima Sana hit the winning boundary as Pakistan crossed the line with 42 balls to spare. Gull expressed her disappointment at not being able to finish the match: 'I was disappointed that I couldn’t finish the match. I wanted to.'
It’s a matter of pride to contribute for my team and I am happy to win the player-of-the-match award.
Gull Feroza, Player of the Match
We were just trying to play the ball according to its merit. The ball was moving and there was some swing, so Sidra and I communicated that we would take a little time because the bowling was good.
Gull Feroza, Player of the Match
