Harshitha Samarawickrama and Vishmi Gunaratne got together for a 203-run stand for the second wicket in the second ODI against Pakistan in Hambantota.
Sri Lanka, who were chasing a stiff target of 274, were dented early by the departure of skipper Chamari Aththapathu for just one off six balls. Samarawickrama and Gunaratne then stitched a 203-run partnership for the second wicket to steer Sri Lanka home. This also happens to be the highest partnership for Sri Lanka in all women’s ODIs till date.
Gunaratne was dismissed for 123 off as many deliveries with 11 fours and a solitary six, whereas Samarawickrama stayed unbeaten on 100 off 119 balls. Kavisha Dilhari also played a crucial hand of 40 off 33 deliveries to take Sri Lanka over the line. With the series now in the balance, the third ODI on July 28 becomes all the more crucial.
The hosts had entered the second ODI 1-0 down and needed a win to stay alive in the three-match series. After being put into bat, Sidra Amin scored a seventh ODI ton for Pakistan, staying unbeaten on 100 off 120 deliveries. Walking out at No.3 in the fifth over, the veteran batter’s 100 comprised 13 fours, and was instrumental in taking Pakistan to a competitive score of 273/5.
Samarawickrama-Gunaratne overshadow Sidra Amin’s consistency
While the Sri Lanka duo's respective tons and the 203-run stand stood out, Sidra Amin's hundred was her fouth consecutive 50+ score in ODIs. She had starred with a composed 57 in the first ODI, before which she had scored fifties in two ODIs against Zimbabwe at home earlier this year. She had also scored a 68 and a 41 in the preceding three-match ODI series against South Africa.
In 87 ODI innings till date, Amin, who has been one of Pakistan's most consistent batters, is closing in on 3,000 runs at an average of 35.56. She also has 17 fifties to her name, on top of seven ODI centuries.
Image credits: Sri Lanka Cricket
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