Kavindi, Athapaththu seal Sri Lanka's 2-0 T20I series win over Pakistan
Synopsis
A debutant stole the show in Dambulla — Sanjana Kavindi's 46 off 24 balls on her T20I debut, combined with Chamari Athapaththu's explosive 40 off 15, made Pakistan's 175 look well short. Sri Lanka sealed the series 2-0 with 14 balls to spare, underlining their dominance in women's T20 cricket at home.
Key Takeaways
Sri Lanka Women beat Pakistan Women by six wickets in the 2nd T20I at Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on 2 August .
Sanjana Kavindi scored 46 off 24 balls on her T20I debut and was named Player of the Match .
Captain Chamari Athapaththu smashed 40 off just 15 deliveries to set up the chase.
Harshitha Samarawickrama anchored the innings with an unbeaten 37 off 22 balls.
Pakistan posted 175 for five , led by Shawaal Zulfiqar (48) and Muneeba Ali (45) with a 90-run opening stand.
Sri Lanka take an unassailable 2-0 series lead; the third T20I is on Tuesday at the same venue.
Sanjana Kavindi, on her T20I debut, and captain Chamari Athapaththu powered Sri Lanka Women to a six-wicket victory over Pakistan Women in the second T20I at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on 2 August, giving the hosts an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. Sri Lanka chased down a stiff target of 176 with 14 balls to spare, finishing at 178 for four in 17.4 overs.
Athapaththu's Blazing Start Sets the Tone
Sri Lanka's chase began under pressure after Imesha Dulani fell cheaply for 5 in the second over to Waheeda Akhtar. Athapaththu responded with a breathtaking counterattack, hammering 40 off just 15 deliveries — an innings laced with five fours and three sixes — to swing the momentum decisively in Sri Lanka's favour. Her assault effectively neutralised Pakistan's powerplay advantage and set an aggressive platform for what followed.
Kavindi's Match-Winning Debut Knock
The standout performance of the evening came from Sanjana Kavindi, who marked her international debut with a match-winning 46 off 24 balls. Her fearless strokeplay, combined with Harshitha Samarawickrama's composed unbeaten 37 off 22 deliveries, guided Sri Lanka home with comfort. Kavisha Dilhari remained unbeaten on 14 as the hosts crossed the line in the 18th over. Kavindi was named Player of the Match for her stunning debut display. Umm-e-Hani was Pakistan's most effective bowler, claiming 2 for 28, dismissing both Athapaththu and Vishmi Gunaratne (31), but her efforts were insufficient to halt the Sri Lankan charge.
Pakistan's Solid But Ultimately Short Total
Pakistan had posted a competitive 175 for five in their 20 overs, built on a dominant opening partnership. Captain Muneeba Ali and Shawaal Zulfiqar put on a 90-run stand in just 9.5 overs, with Pakistan racing to 68 without loss at the end of the powerplay. Muneeba struck 45 off 30 balls with six fours and a six, while Shawaal top-scored with 48 off 35 deliveries, hitting eight boundaries.
Sri Lanka pulled back with back-to-back wickets to dismiss both openers, but Pakistan kept the scoreboard ticking. Eman Naseer contributed 21 off 21, and Saira Jabeen chipped in with a brisk 16 off nine deliveries. Eyman Fatima provided the finishing flourish with an unbeaten 30 off 19 balls, featuring three fours and two sixes, as Pakistan plundered 46 runs in the final five overs. For Sri Lanka, Chamudi Praboda was the pick of the bowlers with 2 for 27.
Series Context and What's Next
The result gives Sri Lanka an unassailable 2-0 series lead, with the third and final T20I scheduled at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on Tuesday. Notably, this is a significant series win for Sri Lanka on home soil, reinforcing their standing as a competitive force in women's T20 cricket in Asia. Pakistan, despite a strong batting effort in both matches, have been undone by Sri Lanka's aggressive top-order batting. The final match will offer Pakistan a consolation opportunity and both sides a chance to experiment ahead of upcoming ICC events.
Brief Scores: PAK W 175-5 in 20 overs (Shawaal Zulfiqar 48, Muneeba Ali 45, Eyman Fatima 30*; Chamudi Praboda 2-27) lost to SL W 178-4 in 17.4 overs (Sanjana Kavindi 46, Chamari Athapaththu 40, Harshitha Samarawickrama 37*; Umm-e-Hani 2-28) by six wickets.
Point of View
But the more telling story is how Sri Lanka have structured their chase in both matches — aggressive at the top, composed in the middle. Pakistan's 90-run opening stand should have been enough foundation for a defendable total, but 175 was always going to be vulnerable against an Athapaththu side batting at this tempo. For Pakistan Women, the pattern of strong starts unravelling against quality opposition is a concern that goes beyond this series. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, look well-placed heading into the ICC calendar.
NationPress
2 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 2nd women's T20I between Sri Lanka and Pakistan?
Sri Lanka Women won the 2nd T20I against Pakistan Women by six wickets at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on 2 August, chasing down 176 in 17.4 overs to clinch the series 2-0.
How did Sanjana Kavindi perform on her T20I debut?
Sanjana Kavindi scored 46 off just 24 balls on her T20I debut, playing a match-winning knock that guided Sri Lanka home. She was named Player of the Match for her impressive performance.
What did Chamari Athapaththu score in the 2nd T20I?
Chamari Athapaththu scored a blazing 40 off 15 deliveries, hitting five fours and three sixes, to launch Sri Lanka's chase after they lost an early wicket. Her counterattack set the platform for the series-clinching win.
How did Pakistan Women bat in the 2nd T20I?
Pakistan posted 175 for five in 20 overs, anchored by a 90-run opening partnership between Shawaal Zulfiqar (48) and Muneeba Ali (45). Eyman Fatima added an unbeaten 30 off 19 balls to boost the total in the final overs.
When is the 3rd T20I between Sri Lanka and Pakistan Women?
The third and final T20I of the series will be played at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on Tuesday. The series has already been won by Sri Lanka 2-0.
