DERBY, UK: Pakistan Women’s captain Fatima Sana produced a captain’s knock, smashing 37 off 26 to propel her side to a formidable 168 for 8 against Sri Lanka Women in their ICC Women’s T20 World Cup warm-up match here on Saturday.
Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Pakistan’s innings was a study in contrasts: a flying start, a mid-innings wobble, and a captain-led rescue act that dragged the team past the 160-run mark on a pitch that offered genuine assistance to slow bowlers.
Pakistan Women finish on 168/8:
A strong start faded after the Powerplay collapse, but Fatima Sana’s classy 37 and Aliya Riaz’s support helped push them to a fighting total. Now it’s time to defend this, come on girls! pic.twitter.com/2Ug71by6H1
— Cricket Pakistan (@crickethub_pk) June 6, 2026
Openers Muneeba Ali and Gull Feroza laid a dream foundation, racing to 60 runs in just 6.4 overs. Muneeba looked in sublime touch, cracking 36 off 21 balls with five boundaries before falling to a sharp catch by Chamari Athapaththu off Chethana Vimukthi. Gull Feroza followed soon after for a steady 26 off 23, caught by Silva off Sugandika Kumari.
What followed was a troubling collapse. Pakistan lost three wickets for just 25 runs, Natalia Pervaiz (2), Saira Jabeen (12), and Eyman Fatima (5), all falling to sharp Sri Lankan fielding and clever bowling changes. When Ayesha Zafar was run out for 10 in the 14th over, Pakistan found themselves at a precarious 105 for 6, having lost five wickets for just 45 runs after a 60-run opening stand.
Enter captain Fatima Sana. The right-hander launched a counterattack that shifted momentum dramatically. She clubbed four boundaries and a towering six, racing to 37 off 26 balls at a strike rate of 142.30. Alongside Aliya Riaz, who contributed 22 off 16 with three boundaries, Fatima added 41 runs for the seventh wicket in just 4.2 overs.
Aliya eventually fell to Vimukthi, the Sri Lankan seamer’s fourth wicket of the innings, but Iram Javed’s unbeaten 8 off 6 ensured Pakistan crossed 168.
For Sri Lanka, Chethana Vimukthi was the undisputed star with the ball, claiming 4 for 31 in her four overs, including the prized scalps of Muneeba Ali, Natalia Pervaiz, Aliya Riaz, and Fatima Sana. Nimasha Meepage (1 for 16 in 3 overs) and Malki Madara (1 for 19 in 2 overs) provided tight support, while Sugandika Kumari took one wicket but conceded 33 runs in her four overs.
Pakistan’s total of 168 for 8 now presents Sri Lanka with a chase requiring 8.40 runs per over. With a bowling attack led by Fatima Sana herself and supported by Tuba Hassan, Sadia Iqbal, Nashra Sandhu, and Diana Baig, Pakistan will feel confident of defending the total in this crucial World Cup warm-up fixture.
The second innings is set to begin shortly, with Sri Lanka needing their best batting effort to chase down Pakistan’s competitive total.
