115/6 (18.2)
CR : 6.27
113/6 (20.0)
CR : 5.65
Pakistan Women won by 4 wickets 🏆
Player of the Match
Ayesha Zafar
1/639(31)
12:53 PM IST & Local Time: Pakistan have avoided the whitewash and can finally end the tour on a positive note. It wasn't enough to prevent Sri Lanka from clinching the series but the visitors showed plenty of character to bounce back and register a four-wicket victory here in Dambulla.
Earlier in the day, Pakistan won the toss and opted to chase. Sri Lanka got off to a steady start through Imesha Dulani and Chamari Athapaththu, who added 36 runs for the opening wicket. The partnership was broken in the sixth over when Umm-e-Hani dismissed Dulani for 17. Athapaththu looked fluent during her stay and scored 34, helping Sri Lanka reach 66/1 at the halfway stage of the innings.
However, Pakistan fought back brilliantly in the second half, tightening the screws with disciplined bowling and fielding. Sri Lanka lost momentum completely, managing just one boundary after the halfway mark as they collapsed to 113/6 from their 20 overs. Momina Riasat was the standout performer with the ball, finishing with impressive figures of 2/18.
Chasing 114, Pakistan made a positive start as openers Muneeba Ali and Shawaal Zulfiqar played a few eye-catching strokes in the powerplay. Muneeba departed for 19 in the fourth over, while Shawaal followed soon after for 21 in the sixth. Kavisha Dilhari struck twice to remove both openers as Pakistan reached 44/2 at the end of the powerplay.
Sri Lanka clawed their way back into the contest with a disciplined effort after the fielding restrictions. Pakistan lost wickets at regular intervals and slipped to 61/4 at the halfway stage of the chase, bringing the hosts firmly back into the game. Chamudi Praboda's 11th over released some pressure for Pakistan as it yielded 13 runs, but Chamari Athapaththu responded immediately by striking in her third over. Her breakthrough left Pakistan in a spot of bother at 80/5 in the 13th over.
Ayesha Zafar then produced the defining innings of the match. Calm under pressure, she anchored the chase superbly and played a match-winning knock that shifted the momentum decisively in Pakistan's favour. Although she could not remain unbeaten till the end, her 39 off 31 deliveries proved invaluable. Pakistan eventually crossed the line with four wickets in hand and 10 balls to spare. Chamari Athapaththu (2/20) and Kavisha Dilhari (2/24) were the pick of the Sri Lankan bowlers.
Despite the defeat in the final game, Sri Lanka will be delighted with the overall outcome of the series, having secured the T20I series 2-1. Stay tuned for the Post-Match Presentation!
Earlier in the day, Pakistan won the toss and opted to chase. Sri Lanka got off to a steady start through Imesha Dulani and Chamari Athapaththu, who added 36 runs for the opening wicket. The partnership was broken in the sixth over when Umm-e-Hani dismissed Dulani for 17. Athapaththu looked fluent during her stay and scored 34, helping Sri Lanka reach 66/1 at the halfway stage of the innings.
However, Pakistan fought back brilliantly in the second half, tightening the screws with disciplined bowling and fielding. Sri Lanka lost momentum completely, managing just one boundary after the halfway mark as they collapsed to 113/6 from their 20 overs. Momina Riasat was the standout performer with the ball, finishing with impressive figures of 2/18.
Chasing 114, Pakistan made a positive start as openers Muneeba Ali and Shawaal Zulfiqar played a few eye-catching strokes in the powerplay. Muneeba departed for 19 in the fourth over, while Shawaal followed soon after for 21 in the sixth. Kavisha Dilhari struck twice to remove both openers as Pakistan reached 44/2 at the end of the powerplay.
Sri Lanka clawed their way back into the contest with a disciplined effort after the fielding restrictions. Pakistan lost wickets at regular intervals and slipped to 61/4 at the halfway stage of the chase, bringing the hosts firmly back into the game. Chamudi Praboda's 11th over released some pressure for Pakistan as it yielded 13 runs, but Chamari Athapaththu responded immediately by striking in her third over. Her breakthrough left Pakistan in a spot of bother at 80/5 in the 13th over.
Ayesha Zafar then produced the defining innings of the match. Calm under pressure, she anchored the chase superbly and played a match-winning knock that shifted the momentum decisively in Pakistan's favour. Although she could not remain unbeaten till the end, her 39 off 31 deliveries proved invaluable. Pakistan eventually crossed the line with four wickets in hand and 10 balls to spare. Chamari Athapaththu (2/20) and Kavisha Dilhari (2/24) were the pick of the Sri Lankan bowlers.
Despite the defeat in the final game, Sri Lanka will be delighted with the overall outcome of the series, having secured the T20I series 2-1. Stay tuned for the Post-Match Presentation!
1:03 PM IST & Local Time: Time for the Post-Match Presentation!
Chamari Athapaththu (Sri Lanka Women Captain): "[On the conditions today] Little bit grip in the wicket. As a professional team, we need to execute our plans. I don't think we are batting according to our plans and conditions. Batting unit has to take the responsibility.
[Is defending a total a concern for the team?] Yeah, definitely. We are good when we are chasing. Every time we start, we have to set the tone. Execution is the most important thing and we have to play positive cricket.
[Areas to improve before the Asian Games?] Our bowling. Because there are a lot of young bowlers in my team. It's not an excuse for them. They will have to improve as well. Fielding as well. I'm upset with the batting today. We have to improve in all three areas before the Asian Games."
[Is defending a total a concern for the team?] Yeah, definitely. We are good when we are chasing. Every time we start, we have to set the tone. Execution is the most important thing and we have to play positive cricket.
[Areas to improve before the Asian Games?] Our bowling. Because there are a lot of young bowlers in my team. It's not an excuse for them. They will have to improve as well. Fielding as well. I'm upset with the batting today. We have to improve in all three areas before the Asian Games."
Player of the Match: Ayesha Zafar
Ayesha Zafar (Player of the Match): "(On the surface and the situation) Well, we didn't imagine the surface to play out that way as in the last two games it was pretty flat. However, the job needed to be done. Somebody had to do it. So, yeah.
(Any discussion regarding the approach of the run chase during the innings break?) We didn't want to take the match too long. We wanted to play some positive cricket and get over the line.
(Anything to improve personally?) Yeah, definitely. It was not exactly how I wanted to play. I didn't get a big score. Hopefully, I make a good comeback in the Asia Cup."
(Any discussion regarding the approach of the run chase during the innings break?) We didn't want to take the match too long. We wanted to play some positive cricket and get over the line.
(Anything to improve personally?) Yeah, definitely. It was not exactly how I wanted to play. I didn't get a big score. Hopefully, I make a good comeback in the Asia Cup."
Player of the Series: Imesha Dulani
Imesha Dulani (Player of the Series): "[Thoughts after her performance in this series] I'm very happy to contribute, especially after immediately coming into the side. The hard work has paid off today.
[What went wrong today?] Even though I couldn't contribute today, I'm happy that the other batters contributed today."
[What went wrong today?] Even though I couldn't contribute today, I'm happy that the other batters contributed today."
Muneeba Ali (Pakistan Women Captain): "(On ending the series on a winning note) Yes obviously. It always makes you feel good when you win a match. So, we are feeling good.
(On restricting Sri Lanka to 113) Actually, from a batting perspective, we had decided last night that if we win the toss, we will bowl first today. But I think when we came here and had a look at the pitch, it looked dusty dry. So, we had an idea.
(On the fielding performance today) Yes, when you don't do well in the fielding department, you get to hear from the coaches. I think everybody did a great job today. I really liked the attitude from the girls.
(Positives to takeaway from this series?) Yes obviously a lot of positives. Shawaal batted extremely well after making a comeback in the team, giving us good starts and also playing after the powerplay. Eyman and Saira have chipped in with the bat. Waheeda and Umm-e-Hani bowled well. Waheeda made a good comeback after performing in domestic cricket.
(On her own performance) I was in good touch. If I was under pressure, I decided not to hit boundaries. I was batting well since the ODIs. I decided to change my approach for the T20 games. I had to sort a few things in this series."
(On restricting Sri Lanka to 113) Actually, from a batting perspective, we had decided last night that if we win the toss, we will bowl first today. But I think when we came here and had a look at the pitch, it looked dusty dry. So, we had an idea.
(On the fielding performance today) Yes, when you don't do well in the fielding department, you get to hear from the coaches. I think everybody did a great job today. I really liked the attitude from the girls.
(Positives to takeaway from this series?) Yes obviously a lot of positives. Shawaal batted extremely well after making a comeback in the team, giving us good starts and also playing after the powerplay. Eyman and Saira have chipped in with the bat. Waheeda and Umm-e-Hani bowled well. Waheeda made a good comeback after performing in domestic cricket.
(On her own performance) I was in good touch. If I was under pressure, I decided not to hit boundaries. I was batting well since the ODIs. I decided to change my approach for the T20 games. I had to sort a few things in this series."
Sri Lankan skipper Chamari Athapaththu collects the trophy. She is joined by her teammates as they pose for the photographs. Sri Lanka win the T20I series by a 2-1 margin.
That wraps up our coverage of this multi-format series between Sri Lanka and Pakistan. It was pleasure bringing you all the updates. The cricketing action around the globe doesn't stop. Keep joining us for more of it. For now, this is Akshay Bhide, signing off, on behalf of my co-commentator Pritam Dey and scorer Bishal Mandal. Until next time, cheers and good bye.