Pakistan Women claim narrow one-wicket win

Defeat Sri Lanka Women on penultimate ball of match in first T20I of three-match series

KARACHI: A half-century by Javeria Khan and some impressive bowling by Diana Baig and Sana Mir helped Pakistan Women eke over the line in the first of their three-match series against Sri Lanka Women at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground in Colombo on Wednesday.

Put in to bat, Sri Lanka were restricted to 129-6 in their allotted 20 overs as Diana took 2-18 in her four overs, while Sana claimed 2-25. For Sri Lanka, opener Anushka Sanjeewani was the top-scorer with a 58-ball 61. Nilakshi de Silva also made 34 off 34 balls but there was precious little of note from any other batsman.



Chasing 130, Pakistan Women reached the target with one ball and one wicket to spare.

Pakistan suffered from early jitters, being reduced to 19-2 in four overs, but skipper Bismah Maroof (42 off 31 balls) and Javeria (52 off 36) put on a 60-run stand to take the game away from Sri Lanka.

“We came into the T20I series on the back of a 3-0 win in the ODIs so we are filled with confidence,” said Javeria, while talking to The Express Tribune. “It was a tough game for both sides but that made it a lot of fun. We did make a few mistakes. Only a few players managed to make runs so the others need to step up to the plate.”

Skipper Bismah, meanwhile, is not targeting a repeat of the ODI series where they whitewashed the hosts. “We are going game by game, after winning the first game we are now we have a day to improve our bating, bowling and fielding. Ever player know their weak areas and they will be working on those to go stronger in the next game,” said the skipper Bismah.