Sri Lanka Women vs Pakistan Women: Shawaal Zulfiqar’s 63 Helps Pakistan Post 176/7 in 1st T20I

Sri Lanka Women vs Pakistan Women: Pakistan Women posted 176/7 in 20 overs after Sri Lanka Women won the toss and chose to field first in the opening T20I of the Pakistan Women tour of Sri Lanka 2026 at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium in Dambulla.

Pakistan made an aggressive start through openers Muneeba Ali and Shawaal Zulfiqar before Sri Lanka fought back with wickets in the second half of the innings. Shawaal emerged as Pakistan’s leading run-scorer, making 63 off 41 balls, while Muneeba contributed 42 from 24 deliveries.

The two batters gave Pakistan the platform to build a sizeable total, but Sri Lanka managed to pick up wickets at important stages. Pakistan eventually finished with 176/7, leaving Sri Lanka with a target of 177.

Pakistan Women Make Fast Start

Muneeba Ali and Shawaal Zulfiqar opened the innings for Pakistan, with Kawya Kavindi taking the new ball for Sri Lanka.

Muneeba immediately looked aggressive, finding the boundary during the opening over. Pakistan reached 8/0 after the first over and continued to score freely during the powerplay.

Shawaal also settled quickly, finding her first boundary in the second over. Muneeba then struck another four against Rashmika Sewwandi as Pakistan continued to build momentum.

After three overs, Pakistan had moved to 28/0. Muneeba was already well placed on 20 from 13 balls, while Shawaal had contributed six from five deliveries.

Muneeba Ali and Shawaal Zulfiqar Build 64-Run Opening Stand

The opening partnership continued to grow during the fourth and fifth overs. Muneeba took particular advantage of the scoring opportunities, hitting four boundaries in the fifth over alone.

At the end of five overs, Pakistan were 50/0. Muneeba had raced to 36 from 19 balls, while Shawaal was on 12 from 11.

The pair added another 14 runs in the sixth over, taking Pakistan to 64 without loss. Muneeba was on 41 from 22 balls at that stage, with Shawaal on 21 from 14.

However, the opening partnership ended in the seventh over. Muneeba attempted to continue the aggressive approach but was run out by Nilakshika Silva for 42 from 24 balls. Her innings contained nine fours.

Muneeba Ali Falls After Strong Powerplay

Muneeba’s dismissal brought Eman Naseer to the crease, with Pakistan on 64/1. Her departure meant Pakistan had lost their first wicket after producing a strong opening stand.

Shawaal remained at the crease and continued to control the scoring. Rather than allowing the wicket to disrupt Pakistan’s momentum, she continued to find boundaries and rotate the strike with Eman.

Pakistan reached 68/1 after seven overs and then moved to 79/1 at the end of the eighth. Shawaal had reached 32 from 21 balls, while Eman was on two from three.

Shawaal Zulfiqar Takes Charge

Shawaal continued to dominate the scoring as Pakistan moved into the middle overs. She struck a boundary in the ninth over and then added two more fours in the following over.

By the end of 10 overs, Pakistan had reached 89/1. Shawaal was unbeaten on 37 from 27 balls, while Eman had made seven from nine.

The scoring rate remained healthy in the next few overs. Pakistan crossed 100 in the 12th over and reached 107/1 after 12 overs.

Shawaal moved into the high 40s and completed her half-century during the middle overs. Her innings became increasingly important to Pakistan as the team looked to establish a strong total after Muneeba’s departure.

Eman Naseer Provides Support

While Shawaal supplied the attacking intent, Eman Naseer played a supporting role at the other end. She rotated the strike and helped keep the innings moving during the middle overs.

Pakistan reached 116/1 after 13 overs, with Shawaal on 56 from 35 balls and Eman on 13 from 19.

The pair added another seven runs in the 14th over, taking Pakistan to 123/1. Shawaal had reached 57 from 37 balls, while Eman was on 19 from 23.

However, Sri Lanka finally broke the partnership in the next over. Kavisha Dilhari dismissed Eman Naseer for 21 from 27 balls, with Rashmika Sewwandi taking the catch.

Shawaal Zulfiqar’s 63 Becomes Pakistan’s Top Score

Eman’s dismissal left Pakistan at 127/2 after 14.6 overs. Shawaal remained at the crease and continued to attack as Pakistan entered the final five overs.

She struck a four from Chamodi Praboda in the 16th over and moved to 63. However, her impressive innings ended on the very next delivery when Praboda bowled her.

Shawaal Zulfiqar finished with 63 runs from 41 balls, including 10 fours and one six. Her innings gave Pakistan the foundation they needed after the early success of Muneeba Ali.

With Shawaal gone at 127/3, Pakistan needed a strong finish from the remaining batters.

Ayesha Zafar Adds Late Acceleration

Ayesha Zafar joined Eyman Fatima after Shawaal’s dismissal. Pakistan moved to 133/3 after 16 overs before another wicket fell.

Kavisha Dilhari dismissed Eyman Fatima for five from five balls in the 17th over. Saira Jabeen then came in and immediately contributed with a boundary.

Ayesha and Saira added useful runs during the closing overs. Ayesha struck a six against Chamari Athapaththu in the 18th over, while Saira also found the boundary.

Saira Jabeen was eventually dismissed by Kawya Kavindi for 13 from eight balls, with Chamari Athapaththu taking the catch. Her innings included two fours.

Pakistan Finish on 176/7

Pakistan entered the final over at 163/5. Ayesha Zafar remained at the crease and continued the late assault, hitting a six in the final over from Sugandika Kumari.

Ayesha was then dismissed for 17 from 11 balls, having struck two sixes. Waheeda Akhtar was also run out after attempting to complete a run.

Umm-e-Hani finished the innings with an unbeaten five from three balls, including a four, while Nashra Sandhu remained unbeaten without scoring.

Pakistan ended their 20 overs on 176/7, setting Sri Lanka a target of 177 runs to win the first T20I.

Sri Lanka’s Bowling Performance

Kavisha Dilhari was Sri Lanka’s most successful bowler, taking 2/36 from four overs. She dismissed Eman Naseer and Eyman Fatima during Pakistan’s innings.

Chamodi Praboda also made an impact with 1/29 from four overs, including the important wicket of Shawaal Zulfiqar for 63.

Sugandika Kumari finished with 1/30 from four overs, while Kawya Kavindi took 1/30 from three overs.

Chamari Athapaththu bowled four overs for 33 runs without taking a wicket. Rashmika Sewwandi also featured in the attack, while Sri Lanka’s fielding produced key moments including Muneeba Ali’s run-out.

Pakistan’s Batting Highlights

• Shawaal Zulfiqar: 63 off 41 balls, including 10 fours and 1 six
• Muneeba Ali: 42 off 24 balls, including 9 fours
• Eman Naseer: 21 off 27 balls
• Ayesha Zafar: 17 off 11 balls, including 2 sixes
• Saira Jabeen: 13 off 8 balls, including 2 fours

Pakistan’s total of 176/7 gave Sri Lanka a challenging target in the first T20I. The opening partnership between Muneeba and Shawaal provided the initial momentum, while Shawaal’s 63 remained the standout individual contribution for Pakistan.

Pakistan Women: 176/7 (20 overs)

Target for Sri Lanka Women: 177 runs

The focus now shifted to Sri Lanka’s chase, with Pakistan needing early wickets to defend their total.