Three-wicket hauls from Sadia Yousuf and Bismah Maroof steered Pakistan Women to a 12-run victory against Sri Lanka Women in the second game of the three-match One-Day International series at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Sunday (January 11). Pakistan have sealed the series with the final ODI to be played at the same ground on January 13.
The result also took Pakistan to fifth on the ICC Women’s Championship points table, with four points in five games. Sri Lanka are one position below, with three points in five games.
After Pakistan set Sri Lanka 139 to win, Yousuf and Maroof ran through the middle order, picking up quick wickets after Sumaiya Siddiqi and Sana Mir dismissed the openers within ten overs.
Although wickets tumbled at one end, Dilani Surangika, the No. 3 batter, was unruffled. She top-scored with 38 off 85, keeping Sri Lanka in the hunt before Maroof had her caught by Asmavia Iqbal.
That left Sri Lanka at 106 for 8, still needing 33 more runs to win. Inoka Ranaweera (12 not out) took the team close, but Sri Lanka was bowled out for 126 in 45.1 overs.
A lack of a substantial partnerships was among the reasons for Pakistan only managing 138 for 9 in 50 overs after opting to bat. The third-wicket stand between Mir and Nain Abidi yielded 39 runs while Mir and Iqbal added 38 for the sixth wicket.
Captain Mir top-scored with 34 and Abidi offered her good support with 29 off 67 balls, but the rest of the line-up didn’t have much of an impact. Only four batters made individual scores of more than 10 as Sugandika Kumari picked up three wickets, while Eshani Lokusuriyage picked up two.
