In a closely contested series finale, Pakistan emerged victorious over Sri Lanka, chasing down a target of 114 runs with ten balls to spare. The match, held recently, saw Ayesha Zafar play a pivotal role, scoring 39 runs off 31 balls, which included six boundaries. Her performance was complemented by contributions from captain Muneeba Ali and Shawaal Zulfiqar, who added 19 and 21 runs respectively. This victory allowed Pakistan to end the series on a high note, despite losing the series 2-1 overall.
Sri Lanka, having already secured the series with wins in the first two matches, struggled in their final outing. The team's captain, Chamari Athapaththu, alongside Kavisha Dilhari, managed to claim two wickets each, but the rest of the bowling unit failed to maintain consistent pressure on the Pakistani batsmen. Sri Lanka’s innings began promisingly, with openers Imesha Dulani and Athapaththu scoring 36 runs in just over five overs. However, the middle overs proved challenging as Pakistan's bowlers tightened their grip, leading to a collapse in the latter half of the innings.
Despite Athapaththu's commendable 34 runs, Sri Lanka's batting faltered significantly after her dismissal. The team could only muster a mere 40 runs from the last 50 deliveries, ultimately finishing their innings at 113 runs. This total was insufficient against a determined Pakistani side, who capitalized on the opportunity to secure a win. Ayesha Zafar’s standout performance earned her the Player of the Match award, while Imesha Dulani, who had excelled throughout the series, was named Player of the Series.
With the conclusion of this series, the latest ICC women’s T20I team rankings have been updated. Sri Lanka has dropped from sixth to seventh place following their loss in the final match, now sitting below the West Indies. They currently hold 8,763 points and a rating of 237. Pakistan remains in eighth place with a total of 7,189 points and a rating of 211.
The updated rankings reflect the competitive nature of women’s T20I cricket, where teams are constantly vying for position. Australia continues to lead the rankings with an impressive 8,151 points and a rating of 291, followed by England and India, who also maintain strong positions. The rankings are crucial as they influence seedings for future international tournaments and series.
As the women's T20I landscape evolves, teams like Pakistan and Sri Lanka will be looking to build on their experiences from this series. The competitive spirit displayed in the matches bodes well for the future of women's cricket, as teams strive to improve and challenge the established powers in the sport.
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