DAMBULLA: Sri Lanka women comprehensively defeated Pakistan by six wickets in the second T20I to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on Sunday.
The Islanders chased down a stiff 176 with 14 balls to spare and six wickets in hand.
17-year-old Sanjana Kavindi starred with the bat, scoring 46 off 24 balls, including six fours and two sixes, to guide Sri Lanka home.
Sri Lanka Skipper Chamari Athapaththu was instrumental at the top, laying a solid foundation with 40 off just 15 balls. The left-hander struck three maximums and five fours in her blistering knock.
After losing Imesha Dulani in the second over, Athapaththu stabilized the innings with a 44-run partnership off 22 balls alongside Sanjana Kavindi as Sri Lanka reached 55 in five overs.
Right-arm off-spinner Umm-e-Hani broke the threatening stand by dismissing Athapaththu to lift Pakistan, but Kavindi’s brisk knock never allowed the visitors to take control of the contest.
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The left-hander added a half-century stand with Vishmi Gunaratne, who made 31 off 29, to take the total past the 100-run mark.
Harshitha Samarawickrama and Kavisha Dilhari capped off an excellent chase with an unbeaten partnership of 30* from 15 balls.
For Pakistan, Umm-e-Hani picked up two wickets.
Earlier, Pakistan put up a solid batting performance, racking up 175-5 in 20 overs. Openers Muneeba Ali and Shawaal Zulfiqar shared a 90-run stand in the first 10 overs.
Ali hit six fours and a six in her 30-ball 45, while Shawaal Zulfiqar scored 48 off 35 with the aid of eight fours. The Green Shirts lost momentum in the middle overs, but Eyman Fatima provided a late flourish with a brisk 30* off 19, striking three fours and two sixes. Chamudi Praboda starred with the ball and picked up two wickets.
The third T20I between Sri Lanka and Pakistan will be played on 4 August at the same venue.