Maroof, Mir seal ODI series for Pakistan

Monitoring Desk

Dambulla: Pakistan climbed to the top half of the ICC Women’s Championship table with a resounding 94-run win against Sri Lanka in Dambulla, on the back of a half-century from captain Bismah Maroof and a four-for from off spinner Sana Mir. Once Pakistan posted 250 for 6, the hosts were bowled out for 156 to give the visitors an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.

Opting to bat, Pakistan saw slow starts from openers Nahida Khan (29) and Muneeba Ai (31) before they were sent back by medium-pacers Ama Kanchana and Sripali Weerakkoddy, respectively, by the 20th over. The innings was then steered by Maroof, who struck nine fours and a six to register her 12th ODI half-century. Her 89 off 90 balls lifted the run rate along with lower-order contributions from Nida Dar and Sana Mir’s 25-ball 27. Weerakkoddy finished with 2 for 46 from her ten overs.

Sri Lanka’s chase wobbled as early as the fifth over when Nipuni Hansika was run-out by Muneeba for 5 off 16. Captain Chamari Atapattu scored a brisk 24 off 23 but she fell to Nashra Sandhu’s left-arm spin in the ninth over and four wickets from Mir had them in serious trouble at 67 for 6. Chamari Polgampola, Kanchana and Weerakkoddy steered the score past 100 before a last-wicket stand of 50 runs helped them to 156 but they were bowled out in 37 overs.

Mir finished with impressive figures of 10-3-32-4 and Nahida Khan took four catches in the match. The third ODI will be played on Saturday in Dambulla.