Pakistan mounted a resilient comeback to secure a 31-run victory over Sri Lanka in their inaugural match of the Women's T20 World Cup in Sharjah on Thursday.
Left-arm spinner Sadia Iqbal claimed three wickets, while Nashra Sandhu, Omaima Sohail, and Fatima Sana each took two wickets, as Asia Cup champions Sri Lanka fell short of their target of 117.
Pakistan's captain, Sana, delivered a crucial lower-order knock to set a competitive total after the team slumped to 84-8 following their decision to bat first.
Sugandika Kumari's left-arm spin accounted for both Pakistan openers, and wickets continued to fall at regular intervals. Sohail's 18 and Nida Dar's 23 were crucial, but Pakistan appeared at risk of not reaching 100, with Sri Lanka skipper Chamari Athapaththu taking three wickets through her off-spin.
Athapaththu finished with 3-18 and Kumari with 3-19, but Sana's 30 off 20 balls, including three fours and a six, frustrated Sri Lanka and proved decisive. She was eventually dismissed by left-arm seamer Udeshika Prabodhani, who ended with 3-20.
Pakistan lost opening bowler Diana Baig to a calf strain after just one ball of the Sri Lanka innings, but her replacement, Sana, secured the vital wicket of Athapaththu, caught at extra cover for six. Sohail bowled Harshitha Samarawickrama and Hasini Perera cheaply, but while Vishmi Gunaratne remained at the crease, Sri Lanka still had hope.
Kavisha Dilhari's attempt to increase the run rate resulted in her holing out to long-on off Sandhu, leaving Sri Lanka at 47-4 in the 11th over. Nilakshika Silva was reprieved when she was trapped lbw from a delivery called a dead ball after Sandhu's towel fell out of her pocket. However, Gunaratne was caught just inside the boundary attempting to hit Sandhu straight down the ground for 20 runs. Silva departed for 22 in the penultimate over after a top edge to short fine leg.
Neither team has advanced past the group stage in eight previous attempts at the T20 World Cup. Pakistan's next match is against arch-rivals India on Sunday, while Sri Lanka will face tournament favorites Australia, who are aiming for a seventh title in nine editions.
