Zafar stars as Pakistan spinners wrap up consolation victory

Pakistan Women secured a 4-wicket consolation victory over Sri Lanka Women in Dambulla, chasing down a target of 114 with 10 balls to spare. Despite the loss, Sri Lanka claimed the T20I series 2-1. Spin Dominance: Pakistan’s spinners bowled superbly on a slow pitch, claiming all six Sri Lankan wickets to fall while restricting the hosts to just 47 runs between overs 6 and 16. Momina Riasat’s Double Strike: With Sri Lanka cruising at 72/1 in the 12th over, Momina Riasat (2-18) dismissed both Sanjana Kavindi and Sri Lanka skipper Chamari Athapaththu (34) within four balls, triggering a middle-order choke. Sri Lanka managed only 40 runs in their final 8 overs. Zafar's Match-Winning Knock: Player of the Match Ayesha Zafar led the chase with a sharp 39 off 31 balls. She anchored a strong Powerplay effort (44 runs) and brought the equation down to just 9 runs needed before holing out late. Comfortable Finish: Tuba Hassan and Saira Jabeen completed the chase without late drama, with Tuba striking a boundary to seal Pakistan's first victory of the tour since the opening ODI. Key Bowling Statistics Momina Riasat (PAK-W): 2/18 (4.0 overs) / Umm-e-Hani (PAK-W): 1/19 (4.0 overs) / Chamari Athapaththu (SL-W): 2/20 (4.0 overs) / Kavisha Dilhari (SL-W): 2/24 (4.0 overs) Over the next eight overs they struggled to maintain the same tempo, and despite losing just three more wickets were only able to muster a further 40 runs to close out the innings; the death overs alone brought just 22 runs. It was a period of play that coloured the rest of the game, as Athapaththu would bemoan after the game their inability on the day to set the tone and play the conditions accordingly. Pakistan, to their credit, showed a much better handle of the pitch, particularly Player of the Match Zafar, who acknowledged the conditions were not what they had come to expect but was pleased with how they adapted. Pakistan 115 for 6 (Zafar 39, Zulfiqar 21, Athapaththu 2-20, Dilhari 2-24) beat Sri Lanka 113 for 6 (Athapaththu 34, Riasat 2-18) by four wickets