Report: Sri Lanka W vs Pakistan W

Sri Lanka cruise to eight-wicket win with ease

Sri Lanka Women overpowered Pakistan in the second ODI at Hambantota, chasing down 274 in 46.5 overs with eight wickets intact. The margin of victory - eight wickets with 19 balls to spare - tells the story of a side that never looked troubled once their openers got going.

Pakistan's 273 for 5 looked competitive enough on paper. Sidra Amin's century, a composed 100 off 120 balls, anchored the innings. Ayesha Zafar contributed 49 and Muneeba Ali 45, spreading the runs across the middle order. But Pakistan's total lacked the thrust needed to trouble a Sri Lankan side that had won the toss and elected to bowl first.

Gunaratne and Samarawickrama put the chase to bed

Sri Lanka's reply was built on two substantial partnerships. Vishmi Gunaratne made 123 off 123 balls, steadying the innings and taking the game away from Pakistan's bowlers. Harshitha Samarawickrama matched her exactly with an unbeaten 100 off 119 deliveries. The pair's batting was unhurried and controlled - neither woman felt the need to force the issue.

Kavisha Dilhari's 40 off 33 at number three showed Sri Lanka had depth too. Pakistan's bowlers, Fatima Sana and Nashra Sandhu, each took a wicket but conceded 44 and 60 runs respectively. There was no breakthrough moment, no spell that shifted momentum. Sri Lanka simply batted through.

Pakistan's bowling lacked penetration

The Pakistan attack never found a way to apply real pressure. Chamari Athapaththu's 1 for 50 and Chethana Vimukthi's 1 for 26 were respectable enough on the surface, but they came too late and cost too many runs. By the time Sri Lanka reached halfway through their innings, the result was academic.

This was a controlled, methodical chase. No drama, no collapse, no late twist. Sri Lanka's batters knew what they needed to do and executed it without fuss. Pakistan will leave Hambantota with work to do - their bowlers need to find a way to tighten up in the field, and their batting, while solid, must find another gear if they are to compete in the remaining matches.