LAHORE – Pakistan Women produced a disciplined all-round display to register a convincing five-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the opening ODI of the three-match series at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium in Hambantota on Thursday, taking a 1-0 lead while extending their impressive run in the ICC Women’s Championship 2025-29.
Chasing a modest target of 211, Pakistan reached 214-5 with 42 balls to spare, thanks to superb half-centuries from opener Gull Feroza and experienced batter Sidra Amin. The victory marked Pakistan’s fifth consecutive win in the ICC Women’s Championship, lifting Fatima Sana’s side to second place in the standings alongside New Zealand. Pakistan made an assured start as Gull Feroza and Sadaf Shamas shared a brisk 58-run opening partnership inside 10 overs. Sadaf contributed 20 before departing, but Gull continued her outstanding form, combining with Sidra Amin in a match-defining 90-run stand that effectively settled the chase. Named player of the match, Gull struck a fluent 78 from 77 deliveries, smashing 11 boundaries while recording her fourth successive fifty-plus score. Sidra anchored the innings with a composed 57 off 91 balls, registering her 17th ODI half-century. Although Sri Lanka claimed three wickets during the closing stages to raise brief hopes of a comeback, Ayesha Zafar remained unbeaten on 27 to steer Pakistan home, with the winning run arriving via an extra. Earlier, Pakistan’s bowlers staged an impressive recovery after Sri Lanka made a promising start. Electing to bat first, the hosts slipped from 109-1 to 210-9 as Pakistan tightened their grip through disciplined bowling. Left-arm spinner Nashra Sundhu led the attack brilliantly, claiming 3-39 to surpass the landmark of 120 ODI wickets. She removed Vishmi Gunaratne, captain Chamari Athapaththu (46) and Malki Madara to halt Sri Lanka’s momentum after two productive partnerships.
Tasmia Rubab impressed with figures of 2-34, while Umm-e-Hani and Syeda Aroob Shah chipped in with a wicket apiece. Despite an unbeaten 46 from Nilakshika Silva, Pakistan conceded only 32 runs in the final seven overs, restricting Sri Lanka to a below-par total. The second ODI will be played at the same venue in Hambantota on Saturday.
Scores in Brief
PAKISTAN 211-5, 43 overs (Gull Feroza 78, Sidra Amin 57, Ayesha Zafar 27*; Kavisha Dilhari 2-37) beat SRI LANKA 210-9, 50 overs (Nilakshika Silva 46*, C Athapaththu 46; Nashra Sundhu 3-42, Tasmia Rubab 2-34) by 5 wickets.
