Pakistan Women lose to Sri Lanka

Dramatic batting collapse sees Pakistan Women lose to Sri Lanka by 31 runs in the ICC Women’s Cricket Challenge.

A dramatic batting collapse saw Pakistan Women lose to Sri Lanka by 31 runs in the ICC Women’s Cricket Challenge in Potchefstroom, South Africa.

Pakistan, chasing 221 for victory, lost their last eight wickets for 42 runs to be bundled out in the 46th over and lose their second match of the tournament, this time from a winning position. They are placed third in the eight-team championship.

Nain Abidi carried on with her good form to register another half-century while Bismah Maroof scored 24 before their dismissals gave Sri Lanka the upper hand. Captain Shashikala Siriwardene, who earlier made 67 off 78 balls to lead her side to a competitive total, then claimed three for 31 to destroy Pakistan after the openers Marina Iqbal and Javeria Khan had provided a reasonable start.

However, the middle order fared poorly once again as Sri Lanka posted their second win in four matches to stand fourth in the tournament.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 11^th, 2010.