Hambantota: Vishmi Gunaratne and Harshitha Samarawickrama struck magnificent centuries while sharing a match-winning 203-run second-wicket partnership as Sri Lanka Women cruised to an eight-wicket victory over Pakistan Women in the second ODI at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium on Saturday, levelling the three-match series 1-1 with one game remaining.
Set a challenging target of 274, Sri Lanka suffered an early setback when captain Chamari Athapaththu edged Fatima Sana behind for just one with only 20 runs on the board. However, what followed was one of the finest partnerships in Sri Lanka Women’s ODI history.
Vishmi and Harshitha came together in the fifth over and completely transformed the contest, adding 203 runs for the second wicket to put Sri Lanka firmly in control. Their partnership was built on patience early before both batters accelerated confidently against a tiring Pakistan attack.
The landmark stand became even more special as both players brought up their second ODI centuries during the innings. Vishmi reached three figures first, requiring 107 deliveries to get there before finishing with an elegant 123 off 123 balls, laced with 11 boundaries and a six. She was eventually stumped off Nashra Sandhu with Sri Lanka needing just 51 more runs.
Harshitha once again demonstrated why she has become the backbone of Sri Lanka’s batting line-up. The left-hander paced her innings superbly, rotating the strike with ease before capitalising on loose deliveries. She remained unbeaten on exactly 100 from 119 deliveries, striking nine fours, and fittingly reached her century moments before the winning runs were completed.
Kavisha Dilhari ensured there would be no late drama, blasting an unbeaten 40 from just 33 balls as she and Harshitha added an unbroken 52 runs for the third wicket to seal victory with 19 deliveries to spare.
Earlier, Pakistan recovered from a steady start to post 273 for 5 after being asked to bat first. Sidra Amin anchored the innings with a superb unbeaten century, scoring 100 from 120 deliveries with 13 fours. She found valuable support from Ayesha Zafar, who made a brisk 49 off 45 balls, and Muneeba Ali, whose 45 helped Pakistan build a solid platform through the middle overs.
Sri Lanka’s bowlers prevented Pakistan from posting an even bigger total by striking at regular intervals. Chethana Vimukthi impressed with an economical spell of 1 for 26, while Chamari Athapaththu, Kavisha Dilhari and veteran spinner Inoka Ranaweera claimed one wicket apiece.
Pakistan appeared to have posted a competitive score, but Sri Lanka’s batting produced a near-flawless chase. The 203-run stand between Vishmi and Harshitha not only broke Pakistan’s resistance but also underlined the growing strength of Sri Lanka’s top order.
With the victory, Sri Lanka squared the series at 1-1, setting up a winner-takes-all third ODI, with the hosts carrying significant momentum after one of their most complete performances in recent years.
Chief Scores:
Pakistan Women 273/5 (50 overs): Sidra Amin 100* (120), Ayesha Zafar 49 (45), Muneeba Ali 45 (62); Chethana Vimukthi 1/26, Chamari Athapaththu 1/50, Kavisha Dilhari 1/53, Inoka Ranaweera 1/60.
Sri Lanka Women 275/2 (46.5 overs): Vishmi Gunaratne 123 (123), Harshitha Samarawickrama 100* (119), Kavisha Dilhari 40* (33); Fatima Sana 1/44, Nashra Sandhu 1/60.
