Summary

  • Pakistan's spinners set up impressive 31-run win in Sharjah - report

  • Iqbal takes 3-17 as Sri Lanka fall short

  • Pakistan restricted to 116 all out (Athapaththu 3-18)

  • Sana (30 off 20) boosts Pakistan with late hitting

  • Scotland beaten by Bangladesh in opener - report

Live Reporting

by Mike Peter & Timothy Abraham

  1. Firdose Moonda
    Cricinfo writer on BBC Test Match Special

    It pitched on middle and it's turned to take the off stump - that was a beautiful delivery from Omaima Sohail and Hasini Perera has to walk.

  2. wicket

    WICKET

    Perera b Omaima 8 (SL 35-3)

    'Absolute beauty!' - Omaima bowls Hasini for eight

    Ripper!

    Omaima sends down a beauty, pitching on middle and turning to hit the top of Hasini Perera's off stump.

    Two balls earlier the Sri Lanka batter had driven for four through the covers, but now she has to depart with her side in trouble.

  3. SL 29-2

    Another tight over from Nida Dar, sending down three dots before Sri Lanka take three singles from the back half of the over.

  4. SL 26-2

    Hasini Perera nudges her first ball into mid-wicket for a single, retaining the strike.

    That's the end of the powerplay, with the required run-rate up 6.50 having started at 5.85.

  5. Firdose Moonda
    Cricinfo writer on BBC Test Match Special

    We are getting to the point where the pressure of the required run rate is building. So I can see why Harshitha Samarawickrama went for that shot, but perhaps she did not pick the moment quite right.

  6. wicket

    WICKET

    Harshitha b Omaima 7 (SL 25-2)

    Omaima bowls Harshitha for seven

    Second wicket down!

    Omaima Sohail's off break breaches the defences of Harshitha, castling the Sri Lanka batter.

    Pakistan's momentum continues to build, after the decent end to their innings.

  7. Firdose Moonda
    Cricinfo writer on BBC Test Match Special

    What would be really interesting to see here will be how 22-year-old Fatima Sana, captaining Pakistan for the first time in a T20 World Cup game, manages her bowlers from this point on.

  8. SL 23-1

    Nida Dar, in her 269th international match, comes into the attack with her off breaks.

    Sri Lanka work the 37-year-old for three singles.

  9. SL 20-1

    Harshitha lashes Sadia Iqbal through the covers for two, before a wide slips away for three runs.

  10. SL 14-1

    'A shot of real class!' - Gunarathne hits Fatima for four

    Harshitha Samarawickrama is in at number three for Sri Lanka.

    She takes a single to bring Gunaratne back on strike, and the Sri Lanka opener turns Fatima away through mid-wicket for four.

  11. Daniel Norcross
    Test Match Special commentator on BBC Sounds

    SanaGetty Images

    That wicket could be enormous in the context of this game. Fatima Sana has found the breakthrough and she's got Chamari Athapaththu within the three overs that we thought was necessary. Athapaththu is making a slow, slow walk back to the dugout.

  12. wicket

    WICKET

    Athapaththu c Omaima b Fatima 6 (SL 9-1)

    Athapaththu is caught by Omaima off the bowling of Fatima

    The star player departs cheaply!

    Captain dismisses captain as Athapaththu scoops Fatima Sana's delivery into the hands of Omaima Sohail at cover.

    Was attempting the lofted drive but seriously mistimed it - that's a big blow to Sri Lanka's chances.

  13. How's stat?!

    Chamari AthapaththuGetty Images

    Excluding this match, Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu has scored 675 runs for Sri Lanka in T20 internationals since the start of 2024. Only Esha Oza of the UAE (711) has scored more in that time.

  14. Firdose Moonda
    Cricinfo writer on BBC Test Match Special

    That's Chamari, isn't it! She's just got the power and strength on an outfield where boundaries are really hard to come by.

  15. SL 9-0

    Shot!

    Athapaththu carves Sadia Iqbal through point for the first four of the innings.

    She dinks the final ball of the over into mid-wicket, runs a single and considers turning back for two but decides against it.

  16. SL 4-0

    And Gunaratne picks up two more in the same region.

    Sri Lanka needed 5.85 an over from the start of the innings, they've started with four from the opening over.

  17. SL 2-0

    BaigGetty Images

    No, Baig won't be able to carry on, she's supported by the physios as she limps off.

    Captain Fatima Sana brings herself on as Baig's replacement, and Athapaththu, her opposite number, also gets a single through square.

  18. Daniel Norcross
    Test Match Special commentator on BBC Sounds

    Diana Baig is in trouble here, she has pulled up. What is going on here? She's come in to bowl and she's got five or six steps in and I am worried about it!

  19. SL 1-0

    Gunaratne gets Sri Lanka off the mark turning the Diana Baig's ball square.

    But hold on, Baig has pulled up in the run-up to her second ball.

    The physio is on the field, and we can see that her calf is heavily strapped.

    I don't think the seamer will be able to continue.

  20. Thanks Tim.

    Vishmi Gunaratne and captain Chamari Athapaththu are out in the middle for Sri Lanka.

    Time for the chase.