KARACHI: Opening batter Sidra Ameen’s ton coupled with right-arm pacer Fatima Sana’s brilliance with the ball led Pakistan to a comprehensive victory over Sri Lanka by 73 runs in the second ODI of the three-match ODI series, claiming the series 2-0, here at Southend Club Cricket Stadium.
Sri Lanka fell short in their chase for 254 runs and managed to score only 180 runs for the loss of 9 wickets. Harshita Madavi remained the top scorer for her side minting 41 runs off 48 balls.
Pakistan’s right-arm pacer Fatima stormed through the Sri Lankan batting line and claimed four wickets.
Sri Lanka made a promising start to their chase and managed to score 151/5 before the right-arm spinner Omaima Sohail broke the strong-looking partnership of 61 runs between Kavisha Dilha and Madhvani in the 39th over.
The Sri Lankan camp underwent panic mode as it lost four quick wickets in just 7 overs. The rest of the team could only add 29 runs into the total.
Pakistan, after opting to bat first after winning the toss, the opening pair of Sidra and Muneeba Ali completely dislodged the Sri Lankan bowling attack and made a firm stand of 152 runs before the right-arm medium pacer Oshadi Ranasinghe sent the latter to the pavilion in the 36th over. Muneeba made 56 off 100 which included three boundaries.
Sidra, on the hand, continued with her inspiring knock and made another magnificent partnership with Pakistan’s skipper Bismah Maroof of 78 runs. She was dismissed by Kavisha Dilhari in the 48th over after scoring her career-best 128 runs as the ball crossed the ropes 11 times through her bat.
Bismah and all-rounder Nida Dar then wrapped up the innings for Pakistan as the skipper remained not-out 36 runs off 43 balls while Nida remained unbeaten with her 10.
Sri Lankan bowlers, on the other hand, failed to crack through the solid batting of the Pakistan women’s team. Apart from Dilhari and Ranasinghe, no other bowler managed to get a wicket.
Pakistan has comprehensively won the three-match series after today’s win. The dead rubber third ODI will be played on June 5.
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