Pakistan secured their first win in four meetings against Asia Cup champions Sri Lanka, opening their T20 World Cup 2024 campaign with a victory. Despite Sri Lanka's recent success—winning three out of six bilateral T20I series and 22 of 32 games since the last T20 World Cup—Pakistan managed to assert dominance on a slow, low Sharjah pitch. Run-scoring was labored, with neither team exceeding six runs an over. Pakistan's total of 116 seemed below par, as no top-order batter scored over 23 and the captain, Fatima Sana, was the highest scorer with 30 runs batting at No. 7. Sri Lanka’s bowlers, including Udeshika Prabodhani, Sugandika Kumari, and Chamari Athapaththu, each claimed three wickets. Buoyed by their efforts in the field, Sri Lanka hoped to chase down the target but faltered against Pakistan's spin attack, particularly from Omaima Sohail. They quickly fell to 52 for 5 in the 13th over and could not recover. The match saw its first six in the third over, hit by Muneeba Ali, but boundaries were scarce throughout. Athapaththu had a near-hat-trick but ultimately it was Sana who turned the tide, scoring crucial runs and taking key wickets, including that of Athapaththu herself. Sri Lanka struggled to score freely, reflecting their frustration as they finished with just 85 for 9, while Pakistan's spinners tightened their grip, ensuring a comfortable victory.
