Sri Lanka Women produced a commanding batting display to defeat Pakistan Women by eight wickets in the second ODI at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium. Chasing a challenging target of 274, the hosts rode on magnificent centuries from Vishmi Gunaratne and Harshitha Samarawickrama to finish on 275/2 in 46.5 overs, levelling the three-match ODI series at 1-1 after Pakistan had won the opening game by five wickets.
Sidra Ameen’s century lifts Pakistan to a competitive total
After electing to bowl, Sri Lanka made an early breakthrough when Sadaf Shamas departed for 12, but Pakistan recovered steadily through Gull Feroza and Sidra Ameen. Feroza contributed a useful 27 before becoming one of four Sri Lankan bowlers to claim a wicket.
Ameen anchored the innings superbly with a composed 100 off 120 deliveries, striking 13 boundaries. She found solid support from Ayesha Zafar, who narrowly missed out on a half-century after scoring a brisk 49 from just 45 balls, including five fours and two sixes. Muneeba Ali also played an important hand with 45 off 62 balls, ensuring Pakistan maintained momentum through the middle overs.
Late in the innings, captain Fatima Sana added valuable finishing touches with an unbeaten 25 off only 18 balls, while Najiha Alvi remained not out on 8. Pakistan closed on a competitive 273/5 from their allotted 50 overs. Sri Lanka shared the wickets around, with Chamari Athapaththu, Chethana Vimukthi, Inoka Ranaweera and Kavisha Dilhari picking up one wicket each. Although none of the bowlers dominated, they managed to prevent Pakistan from crossing the 280-run mark.
Vishmi Gunaratne and Harshitha Samarawickrama take complete control of the chase
Sri Lanka’s reply began poorly as skipper Athapaththu fell for just one run, leaving the hosts under early pressure. However, what followed was a match-defining partnership between Gunaratne and Samarawickrama. The pair batted with remarkable composure, combining patience with timely aggression to take the game away from Pakistan. Gunaratne reached a superb century, finishing with 123 off 123 deliveries, decorated with 11 fours and a six. At the other end, Samarawickrama matched her partner stroke for stroke, compiling an unbeaten 100 from 119 balls with nine boundaries.
Their massive stand left Pakistan’s bowlers searching for answers as the required run rate remained comfortably under control throughout the chase. Even after Gunaratne’s dismissal, Sri Lanka needed only a handful of runs. Kavisha Dilhari then ensured there were no late hiccups, smashing an unbeaten 40 off just 33 balls with five boundaries to guide Sri Lanka home with 19 balls to spare. Fatima and Nashra Sandhu claimed one wicket each, but Pakistan’s bowling attack struggled to break the long partnership that ultimately decided the contest.
Series perfectly poised ahead of decider
For her outstanding match-winning century, Gunaratne was named the Player of the Match. Her innings, coupled with Samarawickrama’s unbeaten hundred, formed the backbone of one of Sri Lanka Women’s finest ODI chases in recent times. The result means the three-match series is now tied 1-1. Pakistan Women had taken the lead by winning the opening ODI by five wickets, but Sri Lanka have responded emphatically to force a winner-takes-all decider.
The third and final ODI will be played on Tuesday, July 28, at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium, where both teams will battle for the series victory.
This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
