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The Sri Lanka Women’s National Cricket Team is all set to take on the Pakistan Women’s National Cricket Team in the first match of their three-match T20I series on July 31. The three-match T20I series opener will be played at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium in Dambulla.
Sri Lanka Women head into the upcoming three-match T20I series with plenty of confidence after beating Pakistan Women 2-1 in the ODI series. The hosts clinched the ODI series with strong all-round performances and will look to continue their winning form in the T20I series as well.
On the other hand, Pakistan women will be aiming to bounce back and make a fresh start in the T20I series. Earlier, they also had a terrible ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign. Amid this, Mohammad Amir questions Babar Azam's appointment as Pakistan Test captain.
Sri Lanka Women vs Pakistan Women 1st T20I Pitch Report
The pitch at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium offers a fair contest between bat and ball. Fast bowlers can get some swing with the new ball, while spinners become more effective as the match progresses because the surface gets slow and turns.
The average first-innings score at this venue is around 125 to 135 runs, so teams need to bat sensibly. The toss could play an important role, as dew in the second innings will make things easy for the chasing side.
As a result, the captain winning the toss is likely to bowl first and take advantage of the early help for the seamers and then the surface to chase the target easily. Meanwhile, Ajinkya Rahane nearly cried while announcing his retirement.
Sri Lanka Women vs Pakistan Women 1st T20I Playing XI and Key Players
Sri Lanka Women
Predicted Playing XI: Chamari Athapaththu (C), Vishmi Gunaratne, Hasini Perera, Sanjana Kavindi, Nilakshika Silva, Harshitha Samarawickrama (WK), Imesha Dulani, Kaveesha Dilhari, Rashmika Sewwandi, Chamudi Praboda, Sugandika Kumari
Key Players: Chamari Athapaththu, Vishmi Gunaratne, Kaveesha Dilhari
Pakistan Women
Predicted Playing XI: Ayesha Zafar, Muneeba Ali (C/WK), Eyman Fatima, Eman Naseer, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Momina Riasat, Maham Anees, Tuba Hassan, Saira Jabeen, Waheeda Akhtar, Nashra Sundhu
Key Players: Sidra Amin, Nida Dar, Nashra Sandhu
Why Sri Lanka hold a slight edge despite Pakistan's balanced T20I side
Pakistan has a strong T20I team with many experienced all-rounders, but Sri Lanka also has some big advantages going into the series opener on Friday. Sri Lanka will be full of confidence after winning the ODI series 2-1 against Pakistan.
And then, playing at home is another big advantage for the hosts, as the players are used to Dambulla's hot and humid weather.
They also know the pitch conditions much better, especially how it helps spin bowlers as the match goes on, than the touring side. This gives Sri Lanka an important edge over Pakistan.
Sri Lanka Women vs Pakistan Women 1st T20I Match Prediction: Who starts the T20I series with a win?
Sri Lankan women are slight favourites to win the first T20I against Pakistan. Sri Lanka have the advantage because their batters are in good form after the ODI series, and their bowlers, especially the spinners, know how to use the Dambulla pitch well.
Pakistan has the ability to shock Sri Lanka, but their recent form and home conditions give them a better chance of winning the first T20I.
Winning chances: Sri Lanka Women 55% – Pakistan Women 45%
