Gunaratne, Samarawickrama Centuries Help Sri Lanka Chase 274 and Level Pakistan ODI Series
Sri Lanka Women produced a superb batting display to chase down 274 against Pakistan, with centuries from Vishmi Gunaratne and Harshitha Samarawickrama powering the hosts to victory and levelling the three-match ODI series at 1-1.
The pair put together a record-breaking 205-run partnership for the second wicket, helping Sri Lanka complete their third-highest successful chase in women’s ODI cricket with 19 balls remaining.
For Pakistan, Sidra Amin’s unbeaten century went in vain as their bowlers managed only two wickets while defending 273.
Chamari Athapaththu Falls Early
Sri Lanka’s chase suffered an early setback when captain Chamari Athapaththu was dismissed for just 1.
Pakistan skipper Fatima Sana provided the breakthrough at the start of the fifth over, inducing an outside edge that was taken behind the stumps.
At that stage, Pakistan had an opportunity to put Sri Lanka under pressure.
Instead, Gunaratne and Samarawickrama took complete control.
Gunaratne and Samarawickrama Add Record 205 Runs
The two batters initially focused on keeping the scoreboard moving without taking unnecessary risks.
Gunaratne was the more aggressive of the pair, reaching her half-century from 55 deliveries, while Samarawickrama needed 74 balls for her fifty.
As the required rate climbed beyond six runs per over after the halfway stage, both batters began finding the boundary more regularly.
Their acceleration quickly brought the asking rate back under control.
The partnership eventually reached 205 runs, making it Sri Lanka Women’s first 200-plus partnership for any wicket in ODI cricket.
Vishmi Gunaratne Smashes 123
Gunaratne converted her strong start into a memorable century, reaching three figures from 107 balls.
She eventually departed for 123, stumped with Sri Lanka still requiring another 52 runs from 64 deliveries.
It was Gunaratne’s second ODI century.
Her dismissal gave Pakistan a small opening, but the required rate was already manageable.
Harshitha Samarawickrama Completes Century
Kavisha Dilhari joined Samarawickrama and immediately kept the chase moving by scoring at better than a run a ball.
With only eight runs required for victory, Samarawickrama struck a boundary to complete her century from 119 deliveries.
Dilhari then struck the winning boundary as Sri Lanka completed the chase with 19 balls to spare.
Gunaratne and Samarawickrama now have two ODI hundreds each and are the only Sri Lankan women apart from Athapaththu to have scored multiple centuries in the format.
Sidra Amin’s Unbeaten Century Goes in Vain
Earlier, Sri Lanka asked Pakistan to bat first.
Pakistan’s openers managed starts but couldn’t convert them into substantial scores before Sidra Amin took responsibility for anchoring the innings.
Ayesha Zafar provided valuable acceleration, scoring 49 from just 45 deliveries before Dilhari bowled her in the 27th over.
Amin then combined with Muneeba Ali in an 88-run partnership from 105 deliveries, taking Pakistan beyond 220.
Pakistan Reach 273 Despite Late Acceleration
Fatima Sana provided some much-needed late impetus with 25 from 18 balls.
Amin remained unbeaten and completed her seventh ODI century in the final over, helping Pakistan finish with a competitive 273.
On another day, that total may have been enough.
Sri Lanka’s top order, however, produced one of its finest ODI chases.
Sri Lanka Level Series 1-1
The victory was particularly significant because Sri Lanka recovered from the early dismissal of Athapaththu without allowing the chase to lose momentum.
Gunaratne and Samarawickrama’s record partnership demonstrated the increasing depth in Sri Lanka’s batting order, while Dilhari calmly completed the job.
With the series now level at 1-1, the third and final ODI will decide the winner.
Key Match Highlights
The three-match ODI series is now level at 1-1
Sri Lanka successfully chased 274 with 19 balls remaining
Vishmi Gunaratne scored 123
Harshitha Samarawickrama struck an unbeaten century
Gunaratne and Samarawickrama shared a record 205-run partnership
It was Sri Lanka Women’s first 200-plus ODI partnership for any wicket
Sidra Amin’s unbeaten century for Pakistan went in vain