Sri Lanka Women tour of Pakistan Naseem fires Pakistan to series win

By Amindha de Alwis 

Pakistan Women beat Sri Lanka Women by seven wickets in their second T20I played in Karachi, to claim the series with a game to spare. 

Pakistan’s Ayesha Naseem was player of the match for her rapid 45 not out off 31 deliveries that shot the hosts to victory after Sri Lanka had kept things tight in the opening half of the chase. 

Earlier, having opted to bat first, Sri Lanka Women managed just 102 for six in their 20 overs, as the Pakistani attack kept a lid on the scoring rate throughout the innings. 

Hasini Perera top scored with 35 and Nilaksha de Silva made 21, but neither at a strike rate that would have concerned the home side to a large degree. 

Pakistan Women had a slight wobble to begin their chase as they were reduced to 37 for three, but Naseem, together with captain Bismah Maroof, combined for an unbeaten 80-run stand that took them to what eventually was a comfortable win with 17 balls to spare. 

The final T20I is to be played at the same venue on Sunday. 

Chief Scores:

Sri Lanka Women: 102 for 6 in 20 overs (H Perera 35, N de Silva 21)
Pakistan Women: 104 for 3 in 17.1 overs (A Naseem 45, B Maroof 22 n.o.)