Pakistan go 1-0 up in SLW PAKW as Feroza, Amin shine
Pakistan Women defeated Sri Lanka Women by five wickets with 42 balls remaining in the first ODI in Hambantota on July 23, 2026, taking a 1-0 lead in the SLW PAKW series. Gull Feroza scored 78, Sidra Amin added 57, and Nashra Sandhu took 3 for 42 as Pakistan chased 211 after restricting Sri Lanka to 210 for 9. The result also marked Pakistan's fifth consecutive ODI win and moved them second on the ICC Women's Championship table.
Key Takeaways
- Pakistan won the first ODI by five wickets, chasing 211 in 43 overs to lead the SLW PAKW series 1-0.
- Gull Feroza made a Player-of-the-Match 78 off 77, her fourth successive ODI half-century.
- Sidra Amin contributed a steady 57 off 94 in a 90-run second-wicket stand with Feroza.
- Nashra Sandhu's 3 for 42 helped limit Sri Lanka to 210 for 9 after a strong start.
- The win was Pakistan's fifth ODI victory in a row.
How did Pakistan seal the SLW PAKW opener?
Sri Lanka chose to bat in Hambantota and began brightly. Vishmi Gunaratne and captain Chamari Athapaththu raced to 31 without loss in the first five overs and posted their fifth fifty-run opening stand in ODIs, the most by a Sri Lanka opening pair.
Once spin came on, the scoring rate dropped. Sandhu removed Gunaratne, then bowled Athapaththu after the captain and Hasini Perera had added 53 for the second wicket. At 109 for 2 in the 24th over, Pakistan tightened the grip. Nilakshika Silva and Kavisha Dilhari added 42 for the fifth wicket, but Sri Lanka lost 5 for 32 in the last seven overs and finished on 210 for 9. Rubab supported with 2 for 34. Full scorecard detail is on ESPNcricinfo's match report.
Who starred with the bat for Pakistan?
Pakistan barely broke sweat in the chase. Feroza was aggressive in the powerplay and led a 58-run opening partnership with Sadaf Shamas. She then added 90 for the second wicket with Amin, who batted steadily.
Feroza fell for a brisk 77-ball 78. Amin made 57 before her dismissal with victory close. Dilhari finished with 2 for 37 for the hosts. Feroza's form has been striking: four successive ODI fifties have settled Pakistan's top order on this tour, according to follow-up coverage ahead of the second ODI.
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What does the 1-0 lead mean for the series?
Pakistan now lead the Dafabet-sponsored three-match series 1-0. A further win in Hambantota would wrap up the series with a match still to play. Sri Lanka know their innings lost shape after the early burst, and their lower order offered little support once the spinners took control.
The second ODI is scheduled for July 25, 2026, again at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium, with Athapaththu's side chasing a response. Pakistan enter that fixture on a five-match ODI winning streak and sitting second in the ICC Women's Championship standings after this result.