Sri Lanka were defeated by a resurgent Pakistan, who lost their previous game to Bangladesh, by 23 runs in the Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2018. The match was played at the Kinrara Academy Oval, Kuala Lumpur.
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Sri Lanka skipper Shashikala Siriwardena won the toss and elected to field first. After a dismal batting performance in their previous game, Pakistan were desperate for a good start at the top. Udeshika Prabodhani, who was not used in the previous game, along with the in-form Sugandika Kumari started off proceedings really well for Sri Lanka. They conceded just 15 runs in the first 4 overs, backed up by a perfect 5th over by Oshadi Ranasingha who gave away only 1 run. Adding to Pakistan’s woes, Kumari struck in the first ball of her third over. However, Nahida Khan was then joined by Captain Bismah Maroof as they added 60 runs in just 6.4 overs. The star for Sri Lanka in the previous game, Nilakshi De Silva was hit for a big 6 in her 1st delivery of the match by Khan but she got rid her in the same over to break the threatening partnership. After a few quiet overs Maroof struck 3 consecutive boundaries in the 16th over by Siriwardena, to give Pakistan a much needed boost. Maroof remained unbeaten on 60 to end the Pakistani innings on 136 for 4.
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In reply the Sri Lankan openers once again started steadily. The duo added 48 runs in 7.5 overs before Yasoda Mendis became Nida Dar’s first victim. Dar then got rid of Nipuni Hansika in her very next over to send both set batters for Sri Lanka back to the pavilion. After that Sri Lanka never looked like making a comeback. Although glimpses of aggression were shown by Anushka Sanjeewani (11), Oshadi Ranasingha (10) and skipper Shashikala Siriwardena (13) none of them really got going. Sri Lanka kept losing wickets at regular intervals and ended the innings 23 runs short of Pakistan’s score of 136, losing 9 wickets. Nida Dar recorded career best figures of 5 for 21 and was adjudged Player of the Match.
Brief Scores:
PAK Women 136/4 (Bismah Maroof 60*, Nahida Khan 38, Sugandika Kumari 2/18)
SL Women 113/9 (Yasoda Menids 25, Nipuni Hansika 24, Nida Dar 5/21)
[PAK Women won by 23 runs]
Player of the Match: Nida Dar
Next Match for Sri Lanka: v IND Women – 7th June
Other Results
6th June – THA Women beat MAL Women by 9 wickets
Points Table
| TEAM | M | W | L | T | N/R | PT | NRR |
| India Women | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 5.200 |
| Sri Lanka Women | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1.660 |
| Pakistan Women | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0.889 |
| Bangladesh Women | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -0.406 |
| Thailand Women | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -1.007 |
| Malaysia Women | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -5.163 |
