DERBY, UK: Pakistan Women won the toss and elected to bat first against Sri Lanka Women in their ICC Women’s T20 World Cup warm-up fixture at Derby on Saturday, opting to test their batting depth under competitive match conditions ahead of the main tournament.
ICC Women’s T20 World Cup – Warm-up Match 🏏
Pakistan opt to bat first against Sri Lanka at County Ground Derby 🏟️#T20WorldCup #PAKWvSRIW #BackOurGirls pic.twitter.com/QbrvPYVk2H
— PCB Media (@TheRealPCBMedia) June 6, 2026
The decision quickly appeared justified as openers Muneeba Ali and Gull Feroza launched a blistering assault on the Sri Lankan bowling attack. After just 5.2 overs, Pakistan raced to 46 for no loss, scoring at a brisk 8.62 runs per over.
Muneeba, keeping wicket as well as opening the innings, looked in imperious touch. She remained unbeaten on 27 off just 16 deliveries, finding the boundary four times at a strike rate of 168.75. Her partner Gull Feroza played a composed supporting role, finishing on 18 not out from 16 balls with two fours.
Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu introduced herself into the attack for the fifth over, but she proved expensive, conceding 13 runs from her single over. Mithali Ayodhya (2-0-18-0) and Kawya Kavindi (1.2-0-8-0) also went wicketless, with Kavindi leaking one wide.
Pakistan have yet to lose a wicket, with a formidable batting lineup still to come, including captain Fatima Sana, Aliya Riaz, and experienced bowlers who can contribute with the bat such as Sadia Iqbal and Diana Baig.
For Sri Lanka, the urgency now mounts to break the opening stand before Pakistan’s total escalates beyond control in this 20-over warm-up encounter.
The Pakistan Women playing eleven for the warm-up match included Muneeba Ali (wicketkeeper), Gull Feroza, Ayesha Zafar, Iram Javed, Eyman Fatima, Aliya Riaz, Natalia Pervaiz, Saira Jabeen, Fatima Sana (captain), Tuba Hassan, and Rameen Shamim, with Sadia Iqbal, Nashra Sandhu, Diana Baig, and Tasmia Rubab among the bowling reserves.
The Sri Lanka Women playing eleven, based on the available bowling attack, featured Chamari Athapaththu (captain), Mithali Ayodhya, Kawya Kavindi, and Sugandika Kumari, along with seven other players whose names were not specified in the scorecard.
