Hambantota, July 25, 2026: Sri Lanka produced a dominant batting display, powered by centuries from Vishmi Gunaratne and Harshitha Samarawickrama, to defeat Pakistan by eight wickets in the second Women’s One-Day International (ODI) at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium on Saturday and level the three-match series 1-1.
Despite an unbeaten century from Pakistan’s Sidra Amin, the hosts comfortably chased down the 274-run target with 19 balls to spare after losing just two wickets.
Pakistan, who opted to bat first, posted a competitive 273/5 in their allotted 50 overs, thanks largely to Sidra Amin’s composed 100 not out off 120 balls, an innings featuring 13 boundaries.
Sidra arrived at the crease in the fifth over after the dismissal of Sadaf Shamas for 12 and anchored the innings until the final over.
She received valuable support from Ayesha Zafar, who scored 49, and Muneeba Ali, who contributed 45. Captain Fatima Sana added 25, while opener Gull Feroza chipped in with 27.
For Sri Lanka, Kavisha Dilhari, Inoka Ranaweera, Chethana Vimukthi and captain Chamari Athapaththu claimed one wicket each.
In reply, Sri Lanka suffered an early setback when captain Chamari Athapaththu was dismissed by Fatima Sana in the fifth over with the score on 20.
However, opener Vishmi Gunaratne and Harshitha Samarawickrama took complete control of the chase with a magnificent 203-run partnership for the second wicket, effectively taking the match away from Pakistan.
Nashra Sandhu eventually broke the stand in the 40th over by dismissing Gunaratne after a superb 123 off 123 balls, an innings that included 11 fours and a six. Her match-winning knock earned her the Player of the Match award.
Batting all-rounder Kavisha Dilhari then joined Samarawickrama, and the pair added an unbeaten 52 runs to guide Sri Lanka to victory.
Dilhari remained unbeaten on 40 off 33 balls, while Samarawickrama completed a brilliant 100 not out from 119 deliveries, striking nine boundaries.
For Pakistan, Nashra Sandhu and captain Fatima Sana claimed one wicket each.
The victory levelled the three-match ODI series at 1-1, with the decider scheduled to be played at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium in Hambantota on July 28.
