Centuries by Vishmi Gunaratne and Harshitha Samarawickrama help Sri Lanka register series-levelling win against Pakistan

Centuries from Vishmi Gunaratne and Harshitha Samarawickrama powered Sri Lanka to an eight‑wicket victory over Pakistan in the second ODI, securing a series‑levelling win on July 25 at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium in Sooriyawewa, Hambantota.

Chasing 274, Sri Lanka were pegged back early when captain Chamari Athapaththu fell in the fifth over for just one. At that stage, the chase looked steep for the hosts.

However, 20‑year‑old Gunaratne produced the innings of her career to deny Pakistan the chance of sealing the series. The right‑handed opener stitched together a 203‑run stand for the second wicket with Samarawickrama, laying the foundation for Sri Lanka’s third‑highest successful chase in ODI history.

Gunaratne was fluent throughout, constructing her innings beautifully. She brought up her second ODI century, scoring a run‑a‑ball 123. Named Player of the Match, she struck 11 fours and a six, putting Pakistan’s bowlers under pressure after their early breakthrough. She was eventually stumped off Nashra Sandhu in the 40th over.

The hosts, however, did not allow Pakistan any further inroads. Samarawickrama and Kavisha Dilhari added an unbeaten 52‑run stand for the third wicket, guiding Sri Lanka home with 19 balls to spare.

Samarawickrama also reached her century, playing the anchor’s role to perfection. The left‑hander struck nine boundaries at a strike rate of 84.03, maintaining momentum throughout. Dilhari’s quick‑fire 40* off 33 balls eased the pressure, as she attacked Pakistan’s bowlers and sealed the chase seamlessly.

Earlier, Athapaththu had opted to field first, and Sri Lanka began well, reducing Pakistan to 55/2 in 11.2 overs with both openers Gull Feroza and Sadaf Shamas back in the pavilion.

Veteran Sidra Amin, however, batted with tenacity to score her seventh ODI century, her second against Sri Lanka. She was involved in three crucial partnerships: 78 runs for the third wicket with Ayesha Zafar (who fell one short of a fifty), 88 runs for the fourth wicket with Muneeba Ali (45 off 62), and a 41‑run stand with captain Fatima Sana.

Amin struck 13 fours and remained unbeaten, propelling Pakistan beyond 250.

Highest successful run chases for Sri Lanka in Women's ODIs: