Imesha Dulani produced a career-defining innings at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on Friday, carrying her bat for 101 not out off 64 deliveries as Sri Lanka Women opened their T20I series against Pakistan Women with a six-wicket victory.
Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to field. Pakistan built a formidable 176 for 7, anchored by Shawaal Zulfiqar’s 63 off 41 balls and a rapid 42 off 24 from captain Muneeba Ali, whose run-out ended a 66-run opening stand. Eman Naseer added 21 and Ayesha Zafar 17, though Sri Lanka’s bowlers pulled the innings back in the closing overs. Kavisha Dilhari finished with two wickets, while Chamudi Praboda, Sugandika Kumari and Kawya Kavindi took one apiece.
The chase began at pace. Captain Chamari Athapaththu struck 39 off 22 balls with five fours and two sixes, sharing a 78-run opening partnership with Dulani before falling in the eighth over. Two quick wickets left Sri Lanka 115 for 3 in the 13th, but Dulani never relinquished the strike rate the target demanded.
She reached three figures with 17 fours and a six at a strike rate of 157.81, striking the boundaries that kept the required rate in check while the middle order rotated around her. Kavisha Dilhari contributed 11 before falling at 167, and Nilakshika Silva finished the job with an unbeaten 9 from four balls.
Sri Lanka reached 177 for 4 in 19 overs, completing the chase with six wickets and an over to spare. Dulani was named Player of the Match.
The result gives Sri Lanka a 1-0 lead in the series.
A first for someone other than Athapaththu
Dulani’s hundred was the fifth ever scored by a Sri Lanka woman in T20Is, and the first by anyone other than Chamari Athapaththu, ESPNcricinfo noted. Reaching three figures off her 63rd ball, the 24-year-old became only the fourth Sri Lankan woman to score an international century in any format — the others being Athapaththu, Vishmi Gunaratne and Harshitha Samarawickrama, both of whom are also in the current top five.
Pakistan will feel the match slipped away. They took 64 without loss from the batting powerplay, Muneeba Ali striking 41 off 22 inside the fielding restrictions, and were 127 for 2 entering the final five overs — but managed only 49 from them. Their 176 for 7 was a commanding total at a ground where 160 has often been enough in women’s T20Is.
Sri Lanka’s answer was to score at 11.16 an over in their own powerplay, which meant the required rate never became a concern despite the wickets falling around Dulani. Left-arm spinner Nashra Sandhu was the pick of Pakistan’s bowlers with 2 for 25, and Dulani showed her particular respect while scoring freely at the other end.
Pakistan, who lost the preceding ODI series 2-1, must now win both remaining T20Is to take anything home from the tour.
Sources: NewsFirst; ESPNcricinfo match report and scorecard.
