Hey there, cricket fans! Whether you’re a die-hard follower who’s glued to every boundary or just someone dipping their toes into the exciting world of women’s cricket, you’ve come to the right place. Today, we’re diving into one of the most talked-about clashes in recent times: the Pakistan Women’s National Cricket Team vs Sri Lanka Women Match Scorecard. This match wasn’t just about runs and wickets—it was a story of grit, strategy, and sheer determination on the field. Picture this: the sun beating down on the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, the crowd buzzing with anticipation, and two teams hungry for a strong start in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024.
I’m talking about the Group A opener on October 3, 2024, where Pakistan edged out Sri Lanka by a solid 31 runs. It was a game that had everything—brilliant all-round performances, nail-biting moments, and lessons in adapting to tricky conditions. As someone who’s watched cricket evolve into this powerhouse sport for women, I love how matches like these inspire the next generation. So, grab a cup of chai or your favorite snack, and let’s break it down step by step. We’ll keep it simple, fun, and easy to follow—no jargon overload here. By the end, you’ll feel like you were right there in the stands.
Setting the Scene: Why This Match Mattered
Cricket in the subcontinent is more than a game; it’s a passion that unites families, sparks debates at dinner tables, and creates heroes overnight. For the women’s teams from Pakistan and Sri Lanka, the stakes were sky-high. This was the second match of Group A in the T20 World Cup, hosted in the UAE—a neutral ground but one that felt like home with its flat pitches and spin-friendly surfaces.
Pakistan, led by the young and dynamic Fatima Sana, were coming off a mixed bag in recent series. They had heartbreaks in the Asia Cup semi-final against Sri Lanka just months earlier (more on that later), but this World Cup was a fresh chance to shine. Sri Lanka, the defending Asia Cup champions under the evergreen Chamari Athapaththu, brought their explosive batting and wily spin attack. Athapaththu, with her aggressive style and leadership, is like the heartbeat of Sri Lankan cricket—a player who can turn games on their head with a single six.
The venue, Sharjah Cricket Association Stadium, is known for its true bounce early on but slows down dramatically, favoring spinners. The outfield? A bit sluggish, making every run feel earned. Weather was hot and dry, typical UAE October vibes, which tested endurance. Pakistan won the toss and chose to bat first—a bold call on a pitch that could grip later. Little did they know, this decision would set the tone for a low-scoring thriller.
What made this match special? It showcased the growth of women’s cricket in Asia. Both teams have invested in youth academies and grassroots programs, and players like Pakistan’s Sadia Iqbal and Sri Lanka’s Vishmi Gunaratne are products of that hard work. For fans back home in Lahore or Colombo, it was a reminder that boundaries aren’t just hit on the field—they’re broken off it too.
Pakistan’s Innings: A Bumpy Ride to Respectability
Let’s start with the action. Pakistan opened with Sidra Amin and Muneeba Ali, aiming to cash in on the powerplay. But Sri Lanka’s bowlers, led by the experienced Sugandika Kumari and the skipper Athapaththu, had other ideas. The first over from Inoshi Priyadharshani was tidy, just a single off it. Muneeba, usually a dasher, looked solid but couldn’t find the gaps.
By the end of the powerplay (first six overs), Pakistan were 30/1—not explosive, but steady. Enter Bismah Maroof, the veteran with over 200 T20Is under her belt. She and Sidra built a crucial 30-run stand, rotating the strike like pros. Sidra’s elegant cover drives were a treat—soft hands meeting the ball perfectly. But at 60/2 in the 10th over, after Sidra holed out to long-on off Athapaththu, things wobbled.
Here’s where Fatima Sana’s captaincy shone. She promoted herself up the order, and boy, did she deliver! Her 30 off 20 balls, including a massive six over midwicket, injected life. Nida Dar, the all-round wizard, chipped in with 23 off 22, her sweeps against spin keeping the scoreboard ticking. But wickets kept tumbling—Omaima Sohail, Aliya Riaz, and Diana Baig all fell trying to accelerate.
The spinners dominated: Athapaththu (3/18) and Kumari (3/19) were magicians, varying pace and turning the ball square. Pakistan reached 100 in the 18th over but lost their last three wickets in a cluster, finishing at 116 all out. Extras? Just 2—discipline from Sri Lanka’s fielding was top-notch. Nashra Sandhu, batting at No. 11, blocked out a few balls for 6 not out, but it was clear: 116 was under par, but defendable on this deck.
Key takeaway? Pakistan’s middle order showed fight, but top-order caution cost them 20-30 runs. Still, in T20s, totals like this have been chased down… and defended spectacularly.
Sri Lanka’s Chase: Dreams Derailed by Spin
Now, the chase. Sri Lanka needed 117 in 20 overs—about 6 an over. On paper, doable with stars like Athapaththu and Harshitha Samarawickrama. But Pakistan’s bowlers, smelling blood, unleashed a spin storm. Fatima Sana opened with pace, snaring Vishmi Gunaratne (caught behind for 0) in the first over. Boom—1/0.
Chamari Athapaththu walked in at No. 3, her eyes on fire. She smashed a couple of boundaries, including a lofted drive that had the crowd roaring. But Sadia Iqbal, Pakistan’s left-arm wizard, struck gold. She foxed Athapaththu with a quicker one, bowled for 10 off 8. Sri Lanka at 25/3 after 5 overs—powerplay blues.
Hasini Perera and Nilakshi de Silva tried to rebuild, but the required rate crept to 8. Omaima Sohail and Nida Dar choked the runs, conceding just 15 in their first four overs combined. Perera’s gritty 22 off 25 was the highest, but she fell to Fatima’s medium pace, dragging on. By drinks (10 overs), Sri Lanka were 44/3—needing 72 off 60 balls.
The middle overs were a spinner’s delight. Nashra Sandhu (2/10) and Sadia (3/17) turned it into a graveyard for Sri Lankan batters. Sweeps went awry; reverse laps found fielders. Kavisha Dilhari and Achini Kulasuriya resisted briefly, but Fatima returned to claim 2/10 in 2.5 overs, including the big wicket of Perera. In the end, Sri Lanka limped to 85/9, their lowest T20 World Cup total since 2016.
Pakistan’s fielding was electric—sharp catches and direct hits saved runs. It was a team effort, with spinners bowling 17 overs for under 50 runs. Sri Lanka’s batters, fresh off Asia Cup glory, looked rattled by the slowness. As Athapaththu said post-match, “We need to adjust to these conditions and play fearless cricket.”
The Full Pakistan Women’s National Cricket Team vs Sri Lanka Women Match Scorecard: At a Glance
To make it super easy, here’s the complete match scorecard in a simple table. Think of it as your quick-reference guide—batting and bowling stats for both teams, all laid out neatly. No need to squint at tiny print; we’ve kept it human-friendly with clear columns.
Pakistan Women Innings
| Batter | Dismissal | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sidra Amin | c Samarawickrama b Athapaththu | 24 | 28 | 2 | 0 | 85.71 |
| Muneeba Ali | b Priyadharshani | 4 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 66.67 |
| Bismah Maroof | c Gunaratne b Kumari | 20 | 23 | 1 | 0 | 86.96 |
| Fatima Sana (c) | c de Silva b Athapaththu | 30 | 20 | 2 | 1 | 150.00 |
| Nida Dar | lbw b Athapaththu | 23 | 22 | 1 | 0 | 104.55 |
| Omaima Sohail | st Sanjeewani b Kumari | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 50.00 |
| Aliya Riaz | run out (Dilhari) | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 133.33 |
| Diana Baig | b Kumari | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Sadia Iqbal | b Prabodhani | 10 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 125.00 |
| Nashra Sandhu | not out | 6 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 150.00 |
| Syeda Aroob Shah | b Priyadharshani | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Extras | (lb 2) | 2 | – | – | – | – |
| Total | (20 overs) 116 all out | 116 | – | 7 | 1 | – |
Fall of Wickets: 1-13 (Muneeba Ali), 2-60 (Sidra Amin), 3-62 (Bismah Maroof), 4-93 (Nida Dar), 5-97 (Omaima Sohail), 6-103 (Aliya Riaz), 7-103 (Diana Baig), 8-110 (Fatima Sana), 9-116 (Sadia Iqbal), 10-116 (Syeda Aroob Shah).
Sri Lanka Women Bowling
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inoshi Priyadharshani | 4 | 0 | 25 | 2 | 6.25 |
| Udeshika Prabodhani | 3 | 0 | 22 | 1 | 7.33 |
| Sugandika Kumari | 4 | 0 | 19 | 3 | 4.75 |
| Chamari Athapaththu | 4 | 0 | 18 | 3 | 4.50 |
| Achini Kulasuriya | 2 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 5.00 |
| Kavisha Dilhari | 3 | 0 | 21 | 0 | 7.00 |
Sri Lanka Women Innings
| Batter | Dismissal | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vishmi Gunaratne | c Muneeba Ali b Fatima Sana | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Anushka Sanjeewani (wk) | b Sadia Iqbal | 6 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 75.00 |
| Chamari Athapaththu (c) | b Sadia Iqbal | 10 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 125.00 |
| Hasini Perera | b Fatima Sana | 22 | 25 | 1 | 0 | 88.00 |
| Harshitha Samarawickrama | c Maroof b Omaima Sohail | 8 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 66.67 |
| Nilakshi de Silva | c Fatima Sana b Nashra Sandhu | 22 | 25 | 0 | 0 | 88.00 |
| Kavisha Dilhari | st Muneeba Ali b Nida Dar | 4 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 57.14 |
| Achini Kulasuriya | run out (Sadia Iqbal) | 5 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 50.00 |
| Sugandika Kumari | not out | 4 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 40.00 |
| Udeshika Prabodhani | c Nida Dar b Sadia Iqbal | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Inoshi Priyadharshani | not out | 0 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Extras | (w 4) | 4 | – | – | – | – |
| Total | (20 overs) 85/9 | 85 | – | 4 | 0 | – |
Fall of Wickets: 1-0 (Vishmi Gunaratne), 2-17 (Anushka Sanjeewani), 3-25 (Chamari Athapaththu), 4-40 (Harshitha Samarawickrama), 5-54 (Hasini Perera), 6-65 (Kavisha Dilhari), 7-73 (Achini Kulasuriya), 8-77 (Nilakshi de Silva), 9-77 (Udeshika Prabodhani).
Pakistan Women Bowling
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fatima Sana | 2.5 | 0 | 10 | 2 | 3.53 |
| Diana Baig | 2 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 6.50 |
| Sadia Iqbal | 4 | 1 | 17 | 3 | 4.25 |
| Nashra Sandhu | 4 | 0 | 10 | 2 | 2.50 |
| Nida Dar | 3 | 0 | 16 | 1 | 5.33 |
| Omaima Sohail | 4 | 0 | 19 | 1 | 4.75 |
Standout Stars: Who Lit Up the Field?
Every match has its MVPs, and this one was no different. Fatima Sana was the undisputed queen—30 runs with the bat and 2/10 with the ball, earning Player of the Match. Her leadership at 24 years old? Inspiring. “We thank the Almighty for this win,” she said, her voice full of emotion. Sadia Iqbal’s 3/17 was a masterclass in control, her arm ball deceiving batters left and right.
For Sri Lanka, Sugandika Kumari’s 3/19 was heroic, but the batting let them down. Chamari Athapaththu, despite 3/18, couldn’t spark the chase—her bowled dismissal hurt the most. Nilakshi de Silva’s 22 was stubborn, but alone, it wasn’t enough.
Stats corner: Pakistan’s spinners had an economy of 3.75, while Sri Lanka’s batters struck at just 72.5. Boundaries? Only 11 in the whole match—proof of how bowler-dominated it was.
Echoes from the Past: The Asia Cup Heartbreaker
You can’t talk about this rivalry without flashing back to July 26, 2024, in the Women’s Asia Cup semi-final in Dambulla. Pakistan posted 140/4, with Nida Dar’s 28* shining. Sri Lanka chased it down in a last-over thriller, winning by 3 wickets. Harshitha Samarawickrama’s 60 off 41 was the difference-maker, her pull shots echoing through the stadium.
That loss stung Pakistan, but it fueled this World Cup prep. “We learned from Dambulla,” Fatima noted. Sri Lanka, buoyed by that win, entered Sharjah confident—but cricket’s funny like that. One day you’re queens, the next you’re chasing shadows.
This head-to-head history adds spice: In 25 T20Is, Sri Lanka leads 14-10, but Pakistan’s recent win evens the mental score.
What It Means for the Future
A 31-run win catapults Pakistan to the top of Group A, boosting morale before tougher tests against India and Australia. For Sri Lanka, it’s a wake-up call—adapt or perish in these slow conditions. The World Cup continues, with both teams eyeing the semis.
Women’s cricket is booming: Viewership in Pakistan hit record highs, and Sri Lanka’s junior squads are swelling. Matches like these aren’t just scores; they’re stepping stones for equality in sport.
Wrapping It Up: Cricket’s Magic Lives On
What a ride, right? From Pakistan’s resilient 116 to Sri Lanka’s gritty but futile chase, this match reminded us why we love cricket—unpredictable, unifying, and utterly addictive. Fatima Sana’s heroics, Sadia’s spin wizardry, and the sheer passion on display make it one for the books.
