Women Tri-Nations Cricket

SL's winning start:

Sri Lanka cricketers celebrate the fall of yet another Pakistan batter in the second game of the Grameenphone tri-nation women's cricket tournament at the Shaheed Chandu Stadium in Bogra yesterday. PHOTO: BANGLARCHOKH.COMSports Reporter

Sri Lanka got off to a sound start in the Grameenphone women's tri-nation cricket tournament when they handed a three-wicket defeat to Pakistan in a low-scoring match at the Shaheed Chandu Stadium in Bogra yesterday.

Sri Lankan bowlers led by player-of-the-match Chamani Seneviratne did an excellent job as Pakistan, who won their first game against hosts Bangladesh by seven wickets, were bundled out for 103 in 41.5 overs after being sent into bat.

New-ball bowler Seneviratne claimed three wickets for 26 runs to cause an early damage while Chamari Polgampola, Sripali Weerakkody, Hiruka Fernando, Sashikala Siriwardane and Suvini de Alwis took one wicket each.

Pakistan were able to cross the hundred-run mark because of the efforts from tail-enders Arman Khan (25) and Almas Akram (19).

Middle-order batswomen Sana Mir (15) and Javeria Khan (11) were the other batters to reach double digits.

In reply, Sri Lanka made a poor start when Asmavia Iqbal removed opener Polgampala with the scoreboard reading eight, but Dedunu de Silva and Hiruka repaired the early damage with 31 runs for the second wicket.

Javeria and Almas equally shared six wickets to shake the Sri Lanka middle-order, but the Lankans still reached the target losing seven wickets in 30.4 overs.

Dedunu de Silva scored 19 runs off 32 balls with three fours while one-down Hiruka made 23 off 32 balls that featured three boundaries.

Skipper Sashikala (10), Suvini de Alwis (17) and Eshani Kaushalya (16 not out) were the other notable scorers for the Islanders.

Sri Lanka will play their second match against hosts Bangladesh tomorrow at the same venue.

BRIEF SCORES
PAKISTAN: 103 in 41.5 overs (Sana 15, Javeria 11, Arman 25, Almas 19, extras 12; Seneviratne 3-26, Chamari Polgampola 1-2, Sripali Weerakkody 1-5, Fernando 1-10, Siriwardane 1-17 and Alwis 1-24)
SRI LANKA: 105-7 in 30.4 overs (De Silva 19, Fernando 23, Siriwardane 10, Alwis 17, Kaushalya not out 16 not out, extras 8; Almas 3-17, Javeria 3-22, Asmavia 1-15)
Result: Sri Lanka won by three wickets.