SOORIYAWEWA — Twin centuries from opener Vishmi Gunaratne and top-order batter Harshitha Samarawickrama powered Sri Lanka to a dominant eight-wicket victory over Pakistan at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium on Saturday. Chasing a formidable target of 274, the hosts overhauled the total in the 47th over, effectively leveling the three-match Women’s One Day International (WODI) series 1-1. The two sides are now set to face off in the crucial series decider on Tuesday, July 28. Pakistan had previously secured the opening match by chasing down a 210-run target.
Earlier in the day, after being put in to bat by Sri Lankan captain Chamari Athapaththu, Pakistan posted a competitive 273 runs, anchored by a superb century from Sidra Amin. Sidra anchored multiple crucial partnerships, including a 78-run stand with Ayesha Zafar (49) and an 88-run partnership with Muneeba Ali (45), before completing her milestone off 120 balls. A quick cameo by Fatima Sana (25) pushed Pakistan past the 260 mark. However, Sri Lanka’s response was definitive. Despite losing Athapaththu early to Fatima Sana, Gunaratne and Samarawickrama put together a monumental, record-breaking 203-run partnership—the highest ever for Sri Lanka in WODIs. Player of the Match Gunaratne struck a brilliant 123 off 121 balls, while Samarawickrama remained unbeaten on 100 to comfortably seal the win alongside Kavisha Dilhari (40 not out).
