Imesha Dulani produced a landmark unbeaten century as Sri Lanka Women chased down Pakistan Women’s 176 for 7 with an over to spare, winning the first T20I by six wickets at Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium in Dambulla on July 31, 2026. Dulani’s 101 not out from 64 balls powered Sri Lanka to 177 for 4 in 19 overs and gave the hosts a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Imesha Dulani’s 101 seals Sri Lanka’s successful chase
Chasing 177, Sri Lanka needed a strong response after Pakistan had made an imposing 176 for 7. The hosts found it through a combination of aggressive powerplay batting, a major contribution from captain Chamari Athapaththu and Dulani’s remarkable innings at the other end.
Dulani finished unbeaten on 101 from 64 deliveries, becoming the fifth Sri Lankan batter to score a T20I century. Her innings was particularly notable because she became the first Sri Lankan woman other than Athapaththu to reach three figures in women’s T20Is.
The 24-year-old struck 17 fours and one six during her stay at the crease. Rather than relying heavily on six-hitting, Dulani repeatedly found the boundary and kept the chase moving at a rate that prevented Pakistan from putting sustained pressure on Sri Lanka.
Athapaththu sets the tone before Dulani takes over
Sri Lanka’s chase got off to an emphatic start through Athapaththu. The captain scored 37 from 19 balls during the powerplay and remained the dominant batter during the opening phase.
Dulani, however, was not far behind. She had already moved to 27 from 17 balls during the powerplay, providing Sri Lanka with a second source of attacking runs.
Her innings began to accelerate in the third over when she attacked Humna Bilal, collecting four boundaries from the over. That early burst helped establish the tempo for the chase.
Sri Lanka scored at 11.16 runs per over during the powerplay, meaning the required rate never became a major concern. Even after wickets began to fall in the middle overs, the platform created at the start allowed Dulani to control the pursuit.
Pakistan strike back but cannot stop Dulani
Pakistan did manage to create openings after Athapaththu’s dismissal. Nashra Sandhu removed the Sri Lankan captain and later claimed another wicket, while Sri Lanka also lost wickets during the middle period.
Dulani responded by managing the chase carefully. She showed particular respect to Sandhu while continuing to score more freely against the other Pakistan bowlers. Her ability to keep the scoreboard moving ensured that Sri Lanka never faced a major escalation in the required rate.
With the target in sight, Dulani remained at the crease until the end. She completed her century from the 63rd ball she faced and then guided Sri Lanka through the final stage of the chase.
Nilakshika Silva provided the finishing support, scoring 9 from four balls, including a four during the 19th over. Dulani took a single from the final delivery of the innings as Sri Lanka reached 177 for 4 after 19 overs.
Dulani joins Sri Lanka’s list of cross-format centurions
Dulani’s hundred also carried significance beyond the match result. Her century made her only the fourth Sri Lankan woman to reach triple figures across formats.
Athapaththu is among those centurions, while Vishmi Gunaratne and Harshitha Samarawickrama are the other two names in that group. Both remain part of Sri Lanka’s top five and have considerable cricket ahead of them, while Dulani herself is only 24.
For Dulani, the innings was also a powerful statement about her place in Sri Lanka’s top three. Her unbeaten 101 was her strongest recommendation yet for a prominent position in the batting order.
Pakistan’s strong start built around Muneeba and Zulfiqar
Pakistan had earlier put themselves in a strong position after being asked to bat first. Their opening six overs produced 64 runs without the loss of a wicket, with Muneeba Ali taking advantage of the fielding restrictions.
Muneeba struck 41 from 22 balls during the powerplay and continued the attacking approach before being dismissed shortly after the fielding restrictions ended. She eventually finished with 42 from 24 deliveries, including nine fours.
Her opening partner Shawaal Zulfiqar then took responsibility for maintaining Pakistan’s momentum. Zulfiqar scored 63 from 41 balls, including 10 fours and one six, and remained at the crease into the 16th over.
The partnership between Pakistan’s top-order batters gave their side a strong foundation, and the innings remained on course for a substantial total even after Muneeba’s departure.
Pakistan finish with 176 for 7
Pakistan reached 127 for 2 after 15 overs, leaving them with a strong platform for the final five overs. However, they could add only 49 more runs during that period and finished at 176 for 7 from their 20 overs.
Eman Naseer contributed 21 from 27 balls before falling to Kavisha Dilhari, while Saira Jabeen added 13 from eight deliveries. Ayesha Zafar scored 17 from 11 balls, including two sixes, before she was dismissed late in the innings.
Dilhari was Sri Lanka’s most successful bowler, finishing with 2 for 36. Sugandika Kumari also took a wicket, while Chamodi Praboda and Kawya Kavindi claimed one each.
Bowling departments struggle to dominate
Neither side produced a particularly dominant bowling display. The seamers especially found the powerplay difficult, with neither team managing to take a wicket during the opening six overs of their respective innings.
For Pakistan, left-arm spinner Nashra Sandhu stood out with figures of 2 for 25. She was among the few bowlers able to slow Sri Lanka’s scoring for meaningful periods, but Pakistan could not sustain that control throughout the chase.
Pakistan’s inability to convert their strong batting start into a larger total ultimately proved costly. A score of 176 had given them a competitive target, but Sri Lanka’s powerplay and Dulani’s control at the crease changed the balance of the match.
Sri Lanka take 1-0 lead in three-match T20I series
The six-wicket victory puts Sri Lanka 1-0 ahead in the three-match T20I series. It also gives the hosts momentum after Pakistan had earlier lost the ODI series 2-1.
Pakistan now face a straightforward series equation. They must win both of the remaining T20Is if they are to leave Sri Lanka with silverware.
For Sri Lanka, the opening match will be remembered for Dulani’s landmark innings. Her unbeaten 101 not only completed a successful chase of 177 but also added her name to a select group of Sri Lankan women to have scored centuries across formats.
Match result: Sri Lanka Women 177/4 in 19 overs beat Pakistan Women 176/7 in 20 overs by six wickets.
Top scores: Imesha Dulani 101* (64), Chamari Athapaththu 39 (22); Shawaal Zulfiqar 63 (41), Muneeba Ali 42 (24).
Best bowling figures: Kavisha Dilhari 2/36 for Sri Lanka; Nashra Sandhu 2/25 for Pakistan.
Series position: Sri Lanka Women lead the three-match T20I series 1-0.
Source: Supplied match report and scorecard details.
