Fatima Sana Shines as Pakistan Spinners Secure Victory in T20 World Cup Opener

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Chasing 117, Sri Lanka were tied down by spin and could manage only 85 for 9 Fatima Sana

Fatima Sana Shines as Pakistan Spinners Secure Victory in T20 World Cup Opener in T20 World Cup Opener Pakistan secured a 31-run victory over Sri Lanka in their opening match of the T20 World Cup 2024, marking their first win against the Asia Cup champions in four meetings. Despite Sri Lanka’s strong form—having won three of their last six T20I series and 22 of 32 games—Pakistan capitalized on a sluggish Sharjah pitch to upset the odds. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, struggled with the bat, leaving them no chance of recovery.

Fatima Sana Shines as Pakistan Spinners Secure Victory

Batting first, Pakistan posted a modest 116, with none of their top six scoring more than 23 runs. Captain Fatima Sana, batting at No. 7, top-scored with a crucial 30, ensuring her side had something to defend. For Sri Lanka, Udeshika Prabodhani, Sugandika Kumari, and Chamari Athapaththu were the standout bowlers, each claiming three wickets and keeping Pakistan’s scoring rate in check.

In reply, Sri Lanka never found their rhythm with the bat, managing only 85 for 9 in their 20 overs. They were tied down by Pakistan’s spinners, particularly Omaima Sohail, as the slow, low pitch made shot-making difficult. By the 13th over, Sri Lanka were reduced to 52 for 5, and there was no coming back from that.

The first six of the tournament came in the third over, courtesy of Pakistan’s Muneeba Ali, who smashed a 63-meter shot over midwicket off Prabodhani. Despite a few boundaries, the game saw relatively little in terms of big hitting, with both sides struggling to score freely.

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Athapaththu’s near hat-trick in the 14th over gave Sri Lanka a glimmer of hope, as she dismissed Tuba Hassan and Aliya Riaz with back-to-back deliveries. However, she narrowly missed the hat-trick when wicketkeeper Anushka Sanjeewani failed to hold onto a catch off Diana Baig.

Sana’s all-round performance, though, was the real turning point. After Baig suffered an injury early in the Sri Lankan innings, Sana stepped up to finish her over and later dismissed the key batter Athapaththu. Her efforts with the ball stifled Sri Lanka’s chase, leaving them reeling as they finished the powerplay at 26 for 2 with the required rate climbing.

Sri Lanka’s frustration culminated when 19-year-old Vishmi Gunaratne was caught attempting an aggressive shot, leaving her side 52 for 5. Despite some resistance, they couldn’t find the boundaries needed, scoring just 47 singles and nine twos. In contrast, Pakistan’s ability to edge out small advantages, with 51 singles and 11 twos, made the difference in this low-scoring match.

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