In a nail‑biting finish at Korogi Sports Park, Nisshin, Sri Lanka Women edged Pakistan Women by four runs, thanks to Chamari Athapaththu’s explosive 83 off just 50 balls. The match, a highlight of the Women’s Asian Games T20 2026, swung dramatically in the last two overs as Sri Lanka chased down 178 with just two wickets in hand.
Match Summary
Pakistan Women won the toss and elected to bat first, posting a competitive 177‑4 in 20 overs. Opener Shawaal Zulfiqar anchored the innings with a steady 54 off 50 balls, while Imesha Dulani contributed a quick 27 off 21 for Sri Lanka. The Pakistani side’s scoring burst came in the death overs, but disciplined bowling from Sugandika Kumari (1/31 in 4 overs) and Chamari Athapaththu (1/30 in 4 overs) kept the total within reach.
In response, Sri Lanka Women began aggressively. Athapaththu, the tournament’s leading run‑scorer, smashed 83 off 50 balls, supported by a rapid 42 off 26 from Hasini Perera. Fatima Sana’s economical spell (1/24 in 3 overs) helped restrict Pakistan’s late surge. Sri Lanka reached the target in just 17.5 overs, finishing on 181‑2, securing a narrow but decisive victory.
Key Performances
Chamari Athapaththu (SL Women) – 83 runs off 50 balls, 12 fours and 4 sixes. Her innings turned the chase into a sprint, and she also chipped in with a wicket, finishing with figures of 1/30.
Shawaal Zulfiqar (PK Women) – 54 runs off 50 balls, the top score for Pakistan, anchoring the innings before falling to a sharp delivery from Athapaththu.
Hasini Perera (SL Women) – 42 runs off 26 balls, providing the crucial acceleration after Athapaththu’s half‑century.
Sugandika Kumari (PK Women) – 1/31 in 4 overs, offering control in the middle overs and taking a key wicket.
Fatima Sana (SL Women) – 1/24 in 3 overs, delivering tight overs that built pressure during Pakistan’s final push.
Turning Points
The match’s defining moment arrived in the 17th over of Sri Lanka’s chase. With the required run‑rate climbing, Athapaththu struck a six off the first ball of the over, shifting momentum dramatically. The subsequent two boundaries in the same over put Sri Lanka ahead of the required rate, and the partnership with Perera ensured the target was within reach.
Another crucial juncture was Pakistan’s collapse in the final over of their innings. After a steady 150, they needed 28 runs off the last two overs. A well‑timed wicket by Athapaththu and a tight over from Kumari limited them to 177, leaving a modest target that Sri Lanka could chase.
Series Implications
With this win, Sri Lanka Women move ahead in the Women’s Asian Games T20 2026 group, improving their head‑to‑head record against Pakistan Women, which now stands at 6‑4 in favor of Sri Lanka. The victory also boosts Sri Lanka’s net run rate, an essential factor as the tournament progresses to the knockout stages.
For Pakistan Women, the loss highlights the need for deeper batting depth and tighter death‑over bowling. Shawaal Zulfiqar’s half‑century shows promise, but the team will need to convert starts into bigger totals if they hope to stay in contention.
Overall, the match delivered high‑octane cricket, with both teams showcasing skill and resilience. Fans searching for the Pakistan Women vs Sri Lanka Women T20I will find this encounter a perfect example of the excitement surrounding women’s cricket today. Stay tuned for more updates on the Women’s Asian Games T20 2026 live score and upcoming fixtures.
Gull Feroza
Shawaal Zulfiqar
Saira Jabeen
Ayesha Zafar
Fatima Sana✱
Eyman Fatima✱
Sugandika Kumari
Mithali Ayodhya
Chamari Athapaththu
Chamudi Praboda
Kavisha Dilhari
Imesha Dulani
Hasini Perera
Harshitha Madavi Samarawickrama✱
Umm-e-Hani
Momina Riasat
Tuba Hassan
Nashra Sandhu