Uncover the details of Fatima Sana’s outstanding display that led Pakistan to a remarkable victory against Sri Lanka in the WT20I World Cup. A true champion!
Introduction:
Pakistan won their first game in four against Asia Cup champions Sri Lanka, which began their T20 World Cup 2024 campaign on a winning note. Despite the current form that has been being seen from Pakistan, they were resilient on a sluggish Sharjah pitch to win the match, defending a very low total of 116 runs for the loss of six wickets. The Sri Lankans, who were high on the success wave in the series before the advent of this tournament, could not get through in the chase and failed under the pressure of Pakistan’s spinners.
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A Slow Start for Pakistan’s Batting Line-Up
Pakistan’s batting effort started slow and laborious, struggling on a pitch that offered nothing for free-flowing run scoring. Not even the top six could take initiatives to propel the innings as no one in the group managed to pass 23 runs. Partnerships were equally difficult to come by as the top eight batters couldn’t manage more than a 25-run stand. Helped Pakistan limp to a total of 116, Pakistan skipper, coming in at No. 7, top-scored with a crucial 30 off 20 balls.
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But the left-arm pair of Sri Lanka, Udeshika Prabodhani and Sugandika Kumari, were also clinical with three wickets each. Even captain Chamari Athapaththu contributed and took three wickets by bowling her offspin for 18 runs. The total looked low for Pakistan, but their bowlers had other plans.
Sri Lanka Struggles Against Pakistan’s Spin
Sri Lanka’s chase soon got out of hand, though the hosts had kept Pakistan’s batting in control. Pakistan spinners, fairly well marshaled by Omaima Sohail, tied up the Sri Lankan batters on a pitch that offered slow turn and low bounce. The Sri Lankan batters cannot adjust to the pitch and many a time play their shots too early while getting in trouble.
So how did they limit Sri Lanka’s scoring chances while bowling with variation? With the required run rate climbing steadily, the pressure mounted, and Sri Lanka reached to 52 for 5 by the 13th over. Hopes of completing the chase of Pakistan’s modest total withered away as no significant partnership came as Sri Lanka could not do so.
The first Six of the Tournament: The Story of Pakistan
Not much was happening in the game, which again is no surprise given the two teams facing each other. Muneeba Ali lit up the game by hitting the first six of the tournament. Scrambling down the track against Prabodhani, Ali hit the ball 63 meters over the midwicket boundary. On a day when boundaries went on hard currency, Ali’s six stood out. Pakistan gathered only five fours and two more sixes in their innings, while Sri Lanka gathered only three boundaries in their entire innings.
Athapaththu’s Hat-trick attempt and Game-changing overs
With the ball already the area of interest, Chamari Athapaththu nearly had the game change in favor of Sri Lanka when she had the follow-up of a hat-trick attempt. Having dismissed Tuba Hassan and Aliya Riaz off successive deliveries, Athapaththu was almost going to complete her hat-trick when Diana Baig’s edge was spilled by wicket-keeper Anushka Sanjeewani. Though Athapaththu did not finish the match with a hat-trick, at 3 for 18, her bowling returned better than that of her mates from the island nation.
The all-round brilliance of Fatima Sana rescued Pakistan
Fatima Sana played a great knock at No. 7 but proved to be the difference-maker for Pakistan. Although batting at that position may have been against convention, Sana’s strike rate of 30 off 20 balls did provide Pakistan the much-needed momentum in the death overs. With Baig also leaving the field for a calf injury after bowling just one ball, Sana chipped in with some bowling duties also. She sent back Athapaththu with a crucial wicket as well, catching her opposite number entirely on the back foot after an immaculate delivery. The dismissal of Athapaththu left Sri Lanka in disarray, and they could not recover from the shock.
Sri Lanka’s Collapse: Gunaratne’s Wicket Seals Their Fate
It was when Vishmi Gunaratne was caught by Sidra Amin off Nashra Sandhu, that sealed Sri Lanka’s fate effectively. Sri Lanka’s chase was pretty much over when their score read 52 for 5. Gunaratne’s dismissal reflected the overall struggles faced by Sri Lanka as they were made to resort to risky shots out of frustration. However, they could manage to score 47 singles, but failed to get opportunities for twos that might have worked out to defeat Pakistan.
Conclusion: Pakistan outplays Sri Lanka in tactical battle
In a low-scoring game dominated by spin, it is Pakistan which is outplaying Sri Lanka today, applying conditions to their advantage through out the course of the game. Both the teams were not free flowing enough in this contest and what gave Pakistan an edge over their opponent was its ability to put pressure on the side with both bat and ball.
While that was little better than Sri Lanka’s effort, Pakistan’s 51 singles and 11 twos were sufficient enough for them to tip the balance in their favour. This victory now sets up Pakistan for a promising campaign in the T20 World Cup, but Sri Lanka would be left to lick its wounds to regain its batting performance back into shape after this disappointing batting performance.