A number of curious captaincy decisions by Bismah Maroof, who had a torrid day, didn’t help. She brought herself on when a wicket was needed, though it was quickly apparent she wouldn’t be the one to deliver it. An increasingly emboldened Athapaththu was taking on every bowler at that point, and she wasn’t spared. When Diana Baig did come on, she was accosted with three fours off her first three balls.
When Nida Dar finally had her stumped, she had brought up her hundred, and a number of cameos lower down the order took the visitors to 260. Pakistan had only ever managed more than that in a second innings once, and against a buoyant Sri Lanka, they had their work cut out if they were to manage something similar.
The chase followed the script as Pakistan couldn’t even come close. The fall of Sidra Ameen was perhaps unfortunate, with the batter getting an inside edge onto her pad though she was given out lbw. However, what followed was Pakistan’s own doing. An ordinary call for a non-existent single from Maroof saw Muneeba Ali run-out. Soon, Maroof was bowled for a duck by Oshadi Ranasinghe while Nida Dar was cleaned up by Athapaththu.
Aliya Riaz’s half-century propped up the scorecard for Pakistan, but the target was a tall ask thereon. Sri Lanka kept chipping away as Pakistan waited for the inevitable, and with more than eight overs to go, folded for 167. Sri Lanka may not leave with either of the two trophies they fought for in Karachi, but the consolation of the last laugh will mean this tour won’t only hold bitter memories for them.
Danyal Rasool is a sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo. @Danny61000
Source: ESPN Crickinfo