Pakistan stun Sri Lanka in T20 World Cup

Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka with an excellent display on the opening day of the ICC Women’s T20 Cricket World Cup in Sharjah.

Fatima Sana's side recorded a surprise victory by 31 runs, posting 116 in the first innings and then producing a top-notch display of bowling to restrict Sri Lanka to 85/9.

It was Pakistan captain Sana who made the early breakthrough by removing Sri Lanka's Chamari Athapathu. Sri Lanka were they denyed boundaries by some impressive bowling by the underdogs. 

Only Sri Lanka's Vishmi Gunaratne and Nilakshika Silva reached double figures, 20 from 34 and 22 from 25 respectively, as they finished 31 runs shy of their target.

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When bowling Sri Lanka kept Pakistan in check in the first innings as Athapathu shone and almost bagged a hat-trick and finished with figures of 3/18.

The game was the second of the opening day, earlier on in Sharjah Bangladesh celebrated their first win at the ICC Women’s T20 Cricket World Cup since 2014, defeating newcomers Scotland by 16 runs in the tournament opener.