Historic ODI comeback and commanding T20I performances underline Sri Lanka’s growing strength in women’s international cricket
Sri Lanka Women concluded Pakistan’s 2026 tour with an impressive white-ball double, securing 2–1 victories in both the ODI and T20I series. The results highlighted the team’s resilience, emerging talent and growing strength across international women’s cricket.
Sri Lanka Women completed a highly successful home campaign against Pakistan Women, winning both the three-match ODI series and the three-match T20 International series by 2–1 margins.
The bilateral competition, played from 23 July to 4 August 2026, concluded at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on Tuesday, 4 August. Although Pakistan claimed a four-wicket consolation victory in the final T20I, Sri Lanka had already secured the series by winning the opening two matches.
Sri Lanka–Pakistan Women’s Series Snapshot
A historic ODI series comeback
The ODI leg at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium in Hambantota formed part of the ICC Women’s Championship 2025–2029.
After Pakistan won the opening match, Sri Lanka responded strongly by recording consecutive eight-wicket victories to complete a 2–1 comeback. The triumph was Sri Lanka’s first bilateral ODI series victory over Pakistan Women since 2002, ending a 24-year wait.
Sri Lanka delivered a composed all-round performance in the deciding ODI, dismissing Pakistan for 187 before reaching 191 for two in 37.2 overs.
Captain Chamari Athapaththu led from the front with three wickets for 27 runs and an attacking 52 from 38 deliveries. Harshitha Samarawickrama remained unbeaten on 71, while Hasini Perera contributed an unbeaten 50 as the pair completed a decisive 106-run partnership.
Samarawickrama, who accumulated 173 runs during the three matches, was named ODI Player of the Series. Athapaththu received the Player of the Match award for her influential performance in the decider.
Standout Sri Lankan Performers
173 runs across the three-match ODI series
Match-winning contributions with both bat and ball
Unbeaten 101 in the opening T20 International
Sri Lanka seal the T20I series in Dambulla
The teams then travelled to Dambulla for the T20I leg, where Sri Lanka secured consecutive six-wicket victories in the opening two matches.
One of the defining performances came from Imesha Dulani, whose unbeaten 101 from 64 deliveries guided Sri Lanka to victory in the opening T20I. Her contribution also resulted in a major rise in the ICC Women’s T20I batting rankings.
Athapaththu maintained Sri Lanka’s momentum with rapid innings of 39 from 22 balls and 40 from only 15 deliveries in the first two matches. Sri Lanka’s second victory successfully completed a chase of 176 with 14 balls remaining and secured the series with one match still to play.
Pakistan finished the tour positively by winning the final T20I by four wickets. Sri Lanka made 113 for six, led by Athapaththu’s 34, before Pakistan reached 115 for six in 18.2 overs.
Ayesha Zafar top-scored with 39 and was named Player of the Match, while Athapaththu and Kavisha Dilhari claimed two wickets each for Sri Lanka. Despite the final-match defeat, Sri Lanka completed the T20I series as 2–1 winners, with Dulani named Player of the Series.
Overall: Sri Lanka won four of the six international matches contested during Pakistan’s tour.
A significant result for Sri Lankan women’s cricket
Winning two formats during the same bilateral tour demonstrates Sri Lanka’s increasing depth and ability to respond under pressure.
The ODI success was built on an impressive comeback after losing the opening match, while the T20I victory featured confident chases, experienced leadership and a breakthrough century from Dulani.
Athapaththu’s performances were subsequently recognised in the ICC player rankings, where she reached a career-high T20I rating of 729 points. Samarawickrama, Hasini Perera and several other players also recorded ranking improvements following the ODI series.
For Sri Lankan supporters around the world, the double series victory offers another encouraging indication of the national women’s team’s continued development and international competitiveness.
Sri Lanka Directory congratulates the players, coaching staff and everyone involved in delivering this memorable white-ball series double.
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