Pakistan staged a decided fightback to beat Sri Lanka by 31 runs in its opening recreation of the Ladies’s T20 World Cup marketing campaign in Sharjah on Thursday.
Left-arm spinner Sadia Iqbal claimed three wickets with Nashra Sandhu, Omaima Sohail and Fatima Sana all taking two every for Pakistan as Asia Cup champion Sri Lanka fell comfortably wanting its goal of 117.
Pakistan wanted a vital lower-order knock from its captain Sana to submit a aggressive whole, having slumped to 84-8 after profitable the toss and selecting to bat.
Sugandika Kumari had each Pakistan openers caught behind off her left-arm spin and the wickets continued to tumble at common intervals.
Sohail made 18 and Nida Dar added 23 however Pakistan appeared in peril of failing to achieve 100 as Sri Lanka skipper Chamari Athapaththu picked up three wickets together with her off-spin.
Athapaththu completed with 3-18 and Kumari took 3-19 however Sana’s 30 off 20 balls, that includes three fours and a six, annoyed Sri Lanka and proved a match-winning contribution.
She was finally dismissed by left-arm seamer Udeshika Prabodhani, who ended with 3-20.
AS IT HAPPENED – PAK vs SL
Pakistan misplaced opening bowler Diana Baig to a calf pressure after only one ball of the Sri Lanka innings, however her alternative Sana picked up the important wicket of Athapaththu — caught at further cowl for six.
Sohail bowled Harshitha Samarawickrama and Hasini Perera cheaply, however whereas Vishmi Gunaratne remained on the crease there was hope for Sri Lanka.
Kavisha Dilhari holed out to long-on off Sandhu whereas attempting to extend the run fee to depart Sri Lanka reeling at 47-4 within the eleventh over.
Nilakshika Silva earned a reprieve when she was trapped lbw from a supply referred to as a useless ball after Sandhu’s towel fell out of her pocket.
However Gunaratne perished for 20 three balls later as she was caught simply contained in the boundary making an attempt to hit Sandhu straight down the bottom.
Silva departed for 22 within the penultimate over after a prime edge to brief high-quality leg.
Neither crew has ever made it out of the group stage in eight earlier makes an attempt on the T20 World Cup.
Pakistan face arch-rivals India in its subsequent recreation on Sunday, whereas Sri Lanka takes on match favorite Australia which is bidding for a seventh title in 9 editions.