Bismah, Sana seal series for Pakistan

DAMBULLA: Pakistan climbed to the top half of the ICC Women’s Championship table with a resounding 94-run win against Sri Lanka in Dambulla, on the back of a half-century from captain Bismah Maroof and a four-for from off-spinner Sana Mir.

Once Pakistan posted 250-6, the hosts were bowled out for 156 to give the visitors an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.Opting to bat, Pakistan saw slow starts from openers Nahida Khan (29) and Muneeba Ai (31) before they were sent back by medium-pacers Ama Kanchana and Sripali Weerakkoddy, respectively, by the 20th over.

The innings was then steered by Maroof, who struck nine fours and a six to register her 12th ODI half-century. Her 89 off 90 balls lifted the run rate along with lower-order contributions from Nida Dar and Sana Mir’s 25-ball 27. Weerakkoddy finished with 2-46 from her ten overs.

Sri Lanka’s chase wobbled as early as the fifth over when Nipuni Hansika was run-out by Muneeba for 5 off 16.

Captain Chamari Atapattu scored a brisk 24 off 23 but she fell to Nashra Sandhu’s left-arm spin in the ninth over and four wickets from Mir had them in serious trouble at 67-6.

Chamari Polgampola, Kanchana and Weerakkoddy steered the score past 100 before a last-wicket stand of 50 runs helped them to 156 but they were bowled out in 37 overs. Mir finished with impressive figures of 10-3-32-4 and Nahida Khan took four catches in the match. The third ODI will be played tomorrow (Saturday) in Dambulla.

Brief scores: Pakistan women 250-6 (Maroof 89, Dar 38; Weerakkody 2-46) beat Sri Lanka women 156 (Weerakkody 29 not out; Mir 4-32) by 94 runs.