She struck her maiden T20I ton as the hosts registered a six-wicket victory
\n Dambulla
\nImesha Dulani struck a superb unbeaten century as Sri Lanka Women defeated Pakistan Women by six wickets in the opening T20I of their three-match series at the Rangiri DambullaInternational Stadium on Friday.
\nChasing a challenging target of 177, the hosts reached 177-4 with six balls to spare, thanks to Dulani\u2019s career-best innings and an attacking contribution from captain Chamari Athapaththu.
\nDulani remained unbeaten on 101 from 64 balls, hitting 17 fours and one six to anchor Sri Lanka\u2019s chase and steer her side to a 1-0 lead in the series.
\nShe received early support from Athapaththu, whose aggressive 39 off 22 deliveries included five fours and two sixes, giving Sri Lanka a flying start in pursuit of the target.
\nAfter Athapaththu departed, Dulani continued to dominate the Pakistan attack, sharing crucial partnerships to keep the required rate under control.
\nKavisha Dilhari contributed 11 from 14 balls, while NilakshikaSilva finished unbeaten on nine off four deliveries, including a boundary, as Sri Lanka completed the chase with an over to spare.
\nFor Pakistan, left-arm spinner Nashra Sandhu was the pick of the bowlers with 2-25 from four overs, while Humna Bilal and Umm-e-Hani claimed one wicket each.
\nEarlier, Pakistan posted a competitive 176-7 after being sent in to bat, with opening batters Muneeba Ali and Shawaal Zulfiqar laying a solid platform.
\nShawaal top-scored with an impressive 63 from 41 balls, striking 10 fours and a six in a fluent innings that kept the scoreboard moving throughout the middle overs.
\nPakistan batter Shawaal Zulfiqar said she was pleased with her performance after returning from a long injury lay-off.
\nShawaal, who scored 63, said batting alongside captain Muneeba Ali helped her confidence as Pakistan posted more than 170 runs.
\n\u201cThe plan was to maximise the total, but inconsistent bowling line and length proved costly,\u201d she said.
\nShawaal expressed confidence that Pakistan would improve in the remaining matches and said she hopes to maintain her batting form throughout the series.
\nCaptain Muneeba provided the early momentum with a brisk 42 off 24 deliveries, finding the boundary nine times during an aggressive opening stand.
\nPakistan looked well placed to push beyond the 180-run mark, but regular wickets in the closing overs slowed their progress.
\nEman Naseer added 21 from 27 balls, while Ayesha Zafar provided late impetus with a quick 17 off 11 deliveries, including two sixes.
\nFurther down the order, Saira Jabeen scored 13 from eight balls, Eyman Fatima made five, Umm-e-Hani contributed five, and Waheeda Akhtar was dismissed without scoring.
\nSri Lanka\u2019s bowlers fought back effectively after the strong opening partnership.
\nAll-rounder Kavisha Dilhari was the most successful bowler with figures of 2-36, while Kawya Kavindi and ChamudiPraboda picked up one wicket apiece.
\nThe two teams will meet again in the second T20I as Pakistan look to level the series, while Sri Lanka will aim to seal victory on home soil.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
She struck her maiden T20I ton as the hosts registered a six-wicket victory Dambulla Imesha Dulani struck a superb unbeaten century as Sri Lanka Women defeated Pakistan Women by six wickets in the opening T20I of their three-match series at the Rangiri DambullaInternational Stadium on Friday. Chasing a challenging target of 177, the hosts reached […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":559496,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-559480","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-sports"],"yoast_head":"\n