SHARJAH: In their opening match of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, Pakistan set a target of 117 runs for Sri Lanka at Sharjah on Thursday.
Pakistan’s innings got off to a rocky start, with Sugandika Kumari striking early by dismissing Gull Feroza for just two runs and Muneeba Ali Siddiq for 11. Sidra Amin fell shortly after, bowled by Athapaththu for 12 runs.
Nida Dar contributed a valuable 23 runs before being dismissed by Prabodani. Captain Fatima Sana played a crucial innings, scoring 32 off 20 balls, which helped lift Pakistan’s total to a competitive level.
Aliya Riaz went out for a duck, and Diana Baig added only two runs before being dismissed.
Earlier, Pakistan won the toss and opted to bat first against Sri Lanka.
The Pakistan women’s team is placed in Group ‘A’ alongside Australia, India, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka. Group ‘B’ includes Bangladesh, England, Scotland, South Africa, and the West Indies.
Pakistan will face their arch-rivals, India, on October 6 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium (DICS). They will then take on the defending champions, Australia, on October 11, followed by their last group match against New Zealand on October 14, also at DICS.
According to the tournament format, the top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals, scheduled for October 17 and 18, while the final will take place on October 20 at 6 PM local time at DICS.
Pakistani Squad:
Squad: Muneeba Ali Siddiqi (wk), Gull Feroza, Sidra Amin, Nida Dar, Aliya Riaz, Fatima Sana Khan (c), Omaima Sohail, Tuba Hassan, Nashra Sundhu, Sadia Iqbal, Diana Baig.
