Pakistan secure 57-run victory

Pakistan 161 for 7 beat Sri Lanka 104 (Siriwardene 58, Jalil 3-33) by 57 runs
Scorecard

Pakistan bounced back from the defeat to India by beating Sri Lanka in their second match at Canberra's Manuka Oval. Sri Lanka kept tabs on Pakistan after they elected to bat, restricting them to 161, but were rocked in their chase by new-ball bowler Qanita Jalil. Shashikala Siriwardene propped up Sri Lanka's sloppy chase with 58 but the slew of wickets all around her eventually told, and once she was dismissed the end was swift. It was Pakistan's first-ever victory over Sri Lanka in 19 ODIs and also its maiden win in the World Cup after six straight defeats.

"There is always a first time and I am glad that we ended our win drought in the World Cup and also against Sri Lanka," Urooj Mumtaz, the Pakistan captain, said. "I wouldn't like to make tall claims but we would aim and try to beat teams we have never beaten before."

Urooj said that Qanita Jalil and Sana Mir, who scored 22 and took two wickets, stood out for their contributions, saying that it was their responsible cricket that kept Pakistan in the hunt for a Super Six spot.

Jalil took the first three wickets to fall, leaving Sri Lanka in trouble in the seventh over. A run-out and a wicket to Asmavia Iqbal made it 47 for 5, after which Siriwardene and the wicketkeeper Dilani Manodara (9 from 56 balls) started a slow fightback. But then Manodara was run out at 91 for 6, Sana Mir quickly snuffed out two wickets, and Siriwardene was run out. Sri Lanka's last five wickets had fallen for just 13 runs.

When Pakistan decided to bat, they were give a steady opening partnership of 47. Bismah Maroof was dismissed by Eshani Kaushalya in the 13th over, and the bowler also accounted for the other opener Nain Abibi, whose 26 from 51 balls was the highest score of the innings. Suwini de Alwis turned in a tidy outing, netting 2 for 19 from her ten overs, and it took an unbeaten 22 from Mir and a 20-ball 19 from Jalil to lift the scoring.

"I am proud of my team. The way it lifted itself after Saturday's game was magnificent," said Mumtaz. "It was a complete team effort and every player played her role to perfection. The batters stayed at the wicket to ensure we played out 50 overs while the bowlers bowled straight and were excellently backed up by the fielders."

"All in all, it was a performance to be proud of and couldn't have come at a better time when we prepare to play England in the last group match. Our feet are still on ground as we know plenty of cricket still has to be played in the tournament and anything can happen."

Pakistan are third in the Group B points table and Sri Lanka are winless after two games.