Sri Lanka Women Beat Pakistan by 8 Wickets to Win ODI Series 2-1 as Chamari Athapaththu Shines
Sri Lanka Women vs Pakistan Women ODI Series 2026: Sri Lanka Women produced a dominant all-round performance to defeat Pakistan Women by eight wickets in the third and deciding ODI at Hambantota on Tuesday, clinching the three-match series 2-1. Led brilliantly by captain Chamari Athapaththu, Sri Lanka first bundled Pakistan out for just 187 before comfortably chasing the target in only 37.2 overs. Athapaththu starred with both bat and ball, while Harshitha Samarawickrama and Hasini Perera finished the chase with an unbeaten century partnership.
Sri Lanka Women vs Pakistan Women 3rd ODI proved to be a one-sided contest after the hosts produced an outstanding bowling display in the opening innings. Pakistan never recovered from a disastrous start that saw them lose three wickets for just 10 runs. Although several middle-order batters got starts, Sri Lanka continued to strike at regular intervals and prevented the visitors from building any substantial partnership.
Sri Lanka Women Clinch ODI Series 2-1
After winning the toss and choosing to field first, Sri Lanka immediately justified their decision with disciplined pace bowling. The victory not only secured the deciding ODI but also handed Sri Lanka a well-deserved 2-1 series triumph ahead of the upcoming T20I series between the two teams.
The hosts looked confident throughout the contest and dominated almost every department. Their bowlers created early pressure, while the batters chased down the target without allowing Pakistan any realistic opportunity to fight back.
Pakistan Women Collapse After Nightmare Start
Pakistan’s innings suffered a massive setback in only the second over when fast bowler Chethana Vimukthi ripped through the top order. She dismissed Sadaf Shamas, Sidra Amin and Ayesha Zafar within the space of just five deliveries, reducing Pakistan to a shocking 10/3.
Sadaf Shamas edged behind after scoring 9, Sidra Amin departed without opening her account, and Ayesha Zafar was trapped leg-before on the very first delivery she faced. The early collapse immediately shifted momentum firmly in Sri Lanka’s favour.
Facing immense pressure, Pakistan needed a stabilising partnership. Gull Feroza and Muneeba Ali responded with a valuable 68-run stand for the fourth wicket, helping the visitors recover from their disastrous beginning.
Gull Feroza and Muneeba Ali Offer Resistance
Gull Feroza played positive cricket despite the early wickets, scoring an entertaining 40 off just 35 deliveries with five boundaries. Muneeba Ali complemented her well by batting patiently for 34 runs from 71 balls.
However, just when Pakistan looked capable of building a competitive total, Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu produced another breakthrough. Feroza missed a sweep shot and was trapped LBW, ending the crucial partnership.
After that dismissal, Pakistan continued losing wickets at regular intervals. Although Najiha Alvi contributed 30 runs and captain Fatima Sana fought hard with a useful 41, none of the partnerships proved big enough to take Pakistan beyond a competitive score.
Chamari Athapaththu Leads From the Front
Sri Lanka skipper Chamari Athapaththu once again demonstrated why she remains one of the world’s finest all-rounders. After breaking Pakistan’s middle order, she finished with excellent bowling figures of 3 wickets for 27 runs.
Chethana Vimukthi also claimed three wickets, while Kavisha Dilhari matched the effort with another three-wicket haul. Together, the trio dismantled Pakistan’s batting lineup and bowled them out for 187 in 40 overs.
Sri Lanka’s Batters Complete Comfortable Chase
Sri Lanka Women vs Pakistan Women 3rd ODI chase began positively as Vishmi Gunaratne and Chamari Athapaththu attacked the Pakistan bowlers from the very first over. The opening pair added 46 runs quickly before Vishmi Gunaratne was caught behind off captain Fatima Sana after scoring 12 runs.
Despite losing the first wicket, Sri Lanka never allowed Pakistan back into the contest. Captain Chamari Athapaththu continued her aggressive approach and built another important partnership with Harshitha Samarawickrama.
The experienced skipper smashed boundaries all around the ground and completed her 20th ODI half-century in just 33 balls. She eventually scored a brilliant 52 runs from only 38 deliveries, including seven fours and two sixes, before being dismissed by Umm-e-Hani.
Harshitha Samarawickrama and Hasini Perera Finish the Job
After Athapaththu’s dismissal, Pakistan hoped for a dramatic comeback, but Harshitha Samarawickrama and Hasini Perera completely shut the door on any possibility of a collapse.
The pair added an unbeaten 106-run partnership for the third wicket, batting with patience and excellent shot selection. Samarawickrama anchored the innings superbly, remaining unbeaten on 71 off 92 balls with eleven boundaries.
Hasini Perera played the perfect supporting role before accelerating in the closing stages. She completed her well-deserved half-century with an unbeaten 50 runs from 77 deliveries, striking eight boundaries as Sri Lanka reached 191/2 in 37.2 overs.
Samarawickrama sealed the victory in style with a beautifully timed boundary through extra cover, giving Sri Lanka an emphatic eight-wicket win.
Bowling Performance That Set Up the Victory
| Bowler | Figures |
|---|---|
| Chethana Vimukthi | 3/36 |
| Chamari Athapaththu | 3/27 |
| Kavisha Dilhari | 3/27 |
| Inoka Ranaweera | 1/41 |
Top Performers with the Bat
| Player | Runs |
|---|---|
| Harshitha Samarawickrama (SL) | 71* (92) |
| Chamari Athapaththu (SL) | 52 (38) |
| Hasini Perera (SL) | 50* (77) |
| Fatima Sana (PAK) | 41 (49) |
| Gull Feroza (PAK) | 40 (35) |
Player of the Match and Series
Chamari Athapaththu was deservedly named the Player of the Match for her outstanding all-round contribution. She claimed three crucial wickets before scoring a quick-fire half-century that put Sri Lanka firmly in control of the chase.
Harshitha Samarawickrama received the Player of the Series award after finishing as the leading run-scorer with 173 runs, including a match-winning century in the second ODI and an unbeaten 71 in the series decider.
Series Ends, Focus Shifts to T20Is
With this comprehensive victory, Sri Lanka Women sealed the three-match ODI series 2-1 and carried strong momentum into the upcoming T20 International series against Pakistan. The hosts will be pleased with contributions from both experienced stars and young players, while Pakistan will look to regroup quickly after their batting struggles in the decisive ODI.
Sri Lanka Women vs Pakistan Women 3rd ODI Match Summary
| Match | Sri Lanka Women vs Pakistan Women, 3rd ODI |
|---|---|
| Venue | Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium, Hambantota |
| Date | 28 July 2026 |
| Toss | Sri Lanka Women won the toss and elected to field |
| Result | Sri Lanka Women won by 8 wickets |
| Series Result | Sri Lanka Women won the three-match ODI series 2-1 |
| Player of the Match | Chamari Athapaththu |
| Player of the Series | Harshitha Samarawickrama |
Pakistan Women Innings
| Batter | Runs | Balls |
|---|---|---|
| Fatima Sana | 41 | 49 |
| Gull Feroza | 40 | 35 |
| Muneeba Ali | 34 | 71 |
| Najiha Alvi | 30 | 39 |
| Others | 42 | – |
| Total | 187 all out in 40 overs | |
Sri Lanka Women Innings
| Batter | Runs | Balls |
|---|---|---|
| Harshitha Samarawickrama* | 71 | 92 |
| Chamari Athapaththu | 52 | 38 |
| Hasini Perera* | 50 | 77 |
| Vishmi Gunaratne | 12 | 17 |
| Total | 191/2 in 37.2 overs | |
Top Bowling Performances
| Bowler | Figures |
|---|---|
| Chamari Athapaththu (SL) | 3/27 |
| Kavisha Dilhari (SL) | 3/27 |
| Chethana Vimukthi (SL) | 3/36 |
| Fatima Sana (PAK) | 1/34 |
| Umm-e-Hani (PAK) | 1/43 |
Key Moments of the Match
- Pakistan collapsed to 10/3 inside the second over after Chethana Vimukthi’s brilliant spell.
- Gull Feroza and Muneeba Ali added 68 runs to revive the innings.
- Chamari Athapaththu dismissed Gull Feroza and later removed Najiha Alvi and Umm-e-Hani to halt Pakistan’s recovery.
- Pakistan were bowled out for 187 in 40 overs.
- Athapaththu then blasted a 38-ball 52 during Sri Lanka’s chase.
- Harshitha Samarawickrama and Hasini Perera added an unbeaten 106-run partnership.
- Sri Lanka chased the target with 76 balls remaining to clinch the series 2-1.
What’s Next?
With the ODI series now concluded, both teams will shift their attention to the T20 International series, which begins on Friday. Sri Lanka will enter the shortest format full of confidence after dominating the deciding ODI, while Pakistan will be eager to bounce back and improve their batting performances.
