Sri Lanka Women produced a dominant, all-round clinical performance in Hambantota to seal a emphatic 2–1 victory in their Women’s One Day International (WODI) series against Pakistan Women. Powered by skipper Chamari Athapaththu’s stellar individual brilliance, the hosts made light work of the final fixture, storming to an eight-wicket win with 76 balls left to spare.
The decider highlighted the undeniable gap in composure between the two sides. While Pakistan struggled to build lasting momentum after losing key top-order wickets early on, Sri Lanka executed a precise game plan with both ball and bat. Driven by disciplined bowling spells and effortless top-order half-centuries, the home side effectively dictated terms throughout the clash.
Sri Lanka folds Pakistan for a low score in final WODI
Winning the toss and sending Pakistan in to bat paid instant dividends for the hosts. Chethana Vimukthi struck early, tearing through the top order in her opening spell. Pakistan found themselves reeling at a precarious 10 for 3 within two overs as Sadaf Shamas (9), Sidra Amin (0), and Ayesha Zafar (0) were dismissed in rapid succession.
Gull Feroza attempted a rescue act, attacking aggressively to notch a quickfire 40 off 35 deliveries. She forged a 68-run fourth-wicket partnership alongside Muneeba Ali (34) to momentarily steady the visitors’ innings. However, skipper Chamari Athapaththu halted that fightback by pinning Feroza lbw in the 16th over.
Once the set batters departed, middle-order resistance proved sporadic. Najiha Alvi contributed a patient 30, while captain Fatima Sana chipped in with a resilient 41 off 49 balls late in the innings. Sri Lanka’s bowling unit remained relentless, refusing to give away easy boundaries. Athapaththu led the attack from the front with figures of 3 for 27, while Kavisha Dilhari matched her spell with an equally impressive 3 for 27 in 7 overs. Inoka Ranaweera added further pressure with 1 for 41 as Pakistan folded for 187 in precisely 40 overs.
Chamari Athapaththu powers Sri Lanka to comprehensive series success against Pakistan
Chasing a modest target of 188, Sri Lanka’s top order put on an absolute masterclass in controlled aggression. Captain Athapaththu set the tone during the opening powerplay with a blistering half-century. Striking at an explosive 136.84, Athapaththu smashed 52 off just 38 balls, including 7 fours and 2 towering sixes, reaching her fifty in just 33 deliveries to crush any hopes of a Pakistani comeback.
Although Fatima Sana removed Vishmi Gunaratne (12) and Umm-e-Hani eventually dismissed Athapaththu at 85 for 2, the damage was already done. Harshitha Samarawickrama and Hasini Perera then anchored the remaining chase with supreme calm, sharing an unbroken 106-run partnership for the third wicket.
Samarawickrama anchored the innings with a pristine, unbeaten 71 off 92 balls, a knock that rightly capped off a remarkable series for her, earning her the Player of the Series award with 173 total runs. Perera completed her own steady half-century (50* off 77 balls) as Sri Lanka cruised past the finish line at 191/2 in 37.2 overs. Athapaththu was fittingly awarded Player of the Match for her match-winning all-round efforts.
Sri Lanka seal the ODI series 2-1 with a commanding 8-wicket victory 💙🔥#SLvPAK #SriLankaCricket pic.twitter.com/7qbiGUPHi9
— WomenCricket.com (@WomenCricketHQ) July 28, 2026
This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
