Sri Lanka completed a clinical chase to level the three-match ODI series 1-1 after twin centuries from Vishmi Gunaratne and Harshitha Samarawickrama powered them to victory with 19 balls to spare. Pakistan’s Sidra Amin had earlier scored an unbeaten 100, but her efforts proved insufficient as Sri Lanka chased down 274 with ease.
Gunaratne and Samarawickrama produced a record second-wicket partnership of 203, the first 200-plus stand in Sri Lanka women’s ODI history and the highest for any wicket. The two batters steadied the chase after skipper Chamari Athapaththu’s early dismissal and accelerated when required, demonstrating Sri Lanka can chase big totals even without their captain.
Match momentum swings
- Early breakthrough: Chamari Athapaththu was dismissed for 1 when Fatima Sana induced an outside edge for a caught-behind in the fifth over, bringing pressure on Sri Lanka.
- Match-defining stand: Gunaratne and Samarawickrama built a 203-run partnership that kept the required run-rate under control for most of the chase.
- Scoring pattern: Gunaratne reached her half-century off 55 balls; Samarawickrama’s fifty came off 74. Both increased intent after the halfway point as the asking rate climbed.
Centuries and key moments
- Vishmi Gunaratne: The quicker scorer in the pair, Gunaratne raced to a 107-ball century and finished 123 before being stumped with Sri Lanka still 52 short and 64 balls remaining.
- Harshitha Samarawickrama: Anchored the partnership and completed her century off 119 balls, remaining unbeaten as Dilhari hit the winning boundary.
- Kavisha Dilhari: Provided brisk support at No. 4, scoring at just over a run-a-ball to keep the chase on track.
Pakistan’s innings review
- Sidra Amin: Carried Pakistan with an unbeaten 100, her seventh ODI century, anchoring the total after early starts failed to convert.
- Support knocks: Ayesha Zafar scored a quick 49 off 45 before bowled by Dilhari in the 27th over; Muneeba Ali added a steady 88-run stand with Amin from 105 balls, taking Pakistan past 220.
- Late acceleration: Fatima Sana’s quick 25 off 18 helped push the total to 273, but Pakistan managed only two wickets in defense.
Records and significance
- Historic partnership: The 203-run second-wicket stand is Sri Lanka women’s first 200-plus partnership in ODIs and now stands as the highest partnership for any wicket.
- Twin centuries: Gunaratne and Samarawickrama’s hundreds were their second in ODIs; they join Chamari Athapaththu as the only Sri Lankan women with three ODI centuries.
- Series status: With the win, Sri Lanka levels the series 1-1, setting up a decisive third ODI.
Match stats at a glance
- Pakistan 1st innings: 273 all out (Sidra Amin 100*, Ayesha Zafar 49)
- Sri Lanka chase: 274/2 (V. Gunaratne 123, H. Samarawickrama 100*) won with 19 balls remaining
