Pakistan staged a determined fightback to beat Sri Lanka by 31 runs in their opening game of the Women's T20 World Cup campaign in Sharjah on Thursday.

Left-arm spinner Sadia Iqbal claimed three wickets, while Nashra Sandhu, Omaima Sohail and Fatima Sana chipped in with two each as Asia Cup champions Sri Lanka fell comfortably short of their target of 117.

Pakistan needed a crucial lower-order knock from their captain Sana to post a competitive total, having slumped to 84-8 after choosing to bat.

"We won the toss and we wanted a lot of runs but we didn't get. But we still achieved the target in the game," said Sana.

Sugandika Kumari had both Pakistan openers caught behind off her left-arm spin and wickets continued to tumble at regular intervals.

Sohail made 18 and Nida Dar added 23 but Pakistan looked in danger of failing to reach 100 as Sri Lanka skipper Chamari Athapaththu picked up three wickets with her off-spin.

Athapaththu finished with 3-18 and Kumari took 3-19 but Sana's 30 off 20 balls, featuring three fours and a six, frustrated Sri Lanka and proved a match-winning contribution.&nbsp;

She was eventually dismissed by left-arm seamer Udeshika Prabodhani, who ended with 3-20.&nbsp;

Pakistan lost opening bowler Diana Baig to a calf strain after just one ball of the Sri Lanka innings, but her replacement Sana picked up the vital wicket of Athapaththu -- caught at extra cover for six.

"We all know Chamari is a good player, we needed that wicket to have a good start and we got it," said Sana.

Sohail bowled Harshitha Samarawickrama and Hasini Perera cheaply, but while Vishmi Gunaratne remained at the crease there was hope for Sri Lanka.

Kavisha Dilhari holed out to long-on off Sandhu while trying to increase the run rate to leave Sri Lanka reeling at 47-4 in the 11th over.

Nilakshika Silva earned a reprieve when she was trapped lbw from a delivery called a dead ball after Sandhu's towel fell out of her pocket.

But Gunaratne perished for 20 three balls later,&nbsp;caught just inside the boundary attempting to hit Sandhu straight down the ground.

Silva departed for 22 in the penultimate over after a top edge to short fine leg.&nbsp;&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/womens-t20-world-cup-2024-hosts-bangladesh-beat-scotland-in-opener-764222">Women’s T20 World Cup 2024: Hosts Bangladesh beat Scotland in opener</a>

"We struggled to chase. We have to adjust to conditions," said Athapaththu.

"I hope we can bounce back. We bowled well. We have to bat really good too. We can't say wicket is slow and outfield is like this. We have to play positive cricket."

Neither team has ever made it out of the group stage in eight previous attempts at the T20 World Cup.

Pakistan face arch-rivals India in their next game on Sunday, while Sri Lanka take on tournament favourites Australia who are bidding for a seventh title in nine editions.&nbsp;

Disclaimer:&nbsp;This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Pakistan staged a determined fightback to beat Sri Lanka by 31 runs in their opening game of the Women's T20 World Cup campaign in Sharjah on Thursday. Left-arm spinner Sadia Iqbal claimed three wickets, while Nashra Sandhu, Omaima Sohail and Fatima Sana chipped in with two each as Asia Cup champions Sri Lanka fell comfortably short of their target of 117.

Pakistan staged a determined fightback to beat Sri Lanka by 31 runs in their opening game of the Women's T20 World Cup campaign in Sharjah on Thursday. Left-arm spinner Sadia Iqbal claimed three wickets, while Nashra Sandhu, Omaima Sohail and Fatima Sana chipped in with two each as Asia Cup champions Sri Lanka fell comfortably short of their target of 117. Pakistan needed a crucial lower-order knock from their captain Sana to post a competitive total, having slumped to 84-8 after choosing to bat. "We won the toss and we wanted a lot of runs but we didn't get. But we still achieved the target in the game," said Sana. Sugandika Kumari had both Pakistan openers caught behind off her left-arm spin and wickets continued to tumble at regular intervals. Sohail made 18 and Nida Dar added 23 but Pakistan looked in danger of failing to reach 100 as Sri Lanka skipper Chamari Athapaththu picked up three wickets with her off-spin. Athapaththu finished with 3-18 and Kumari took 3-19 but Sana's 30 off 20 balls, featuring three fours and a six, frustrated Sri Lanka and proved a match-winning contribution. She was eventually dismissed by left-arm seamer Udeshika Prabodhani, who ended with 3-20. Pakistan lost opening bowler Diana Baig to a calf strain after just one ball of the Sri Lanka innings, but her replacement Sana picked up the vital wicket of Athapaththu -- caught at extra cover for six. "We all know Chamari is a good player, we needed that wicket to have a good start and we got it," said Sana. Sohail bowled Harshitha Samarawickrama and Hasini Perera cheaply, but while Vishmi Gunaratne remained at the crease there was hope for Sri Lanka. Kavisha Dilhari holed out to long-on off Sandhu while trying to increase the run rate to leave Sri Lanka reeling at 47-4 in the 11th over. Nilakshika Silva earned a reprieve when she was trapped lbw from a delivery called a dead ball after Sandhu's towel fell out of her pocket. But Gunaratne perished for 20 three balls later, caught just inside the boundary attempting to hit Sandhu straight down the ground. Silva departed for 22 in the penultimate over after a top edge to short fine leg. ALSO READ | Women’s T20 World Cup 2024: Hosts Bangladesh beat Scotland in opener "We struggled to chase. We have to adjust to conditions," said Athapaththu. "I hope we can bounce back. We bowled well. We have to bat really good too. We can't say wicket is slow and outfield is like this. We have to play positive cricket." Neither team has ever made it out of the group stage in eight previous attempts at the T20 World Cup. Pakistan face arch-rivals India in their next game on Sunday, while Sri Lanka take on tournament favourites Australia who are bidding for a seventh title in nine editions. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Women's T20 World Cup: Pakistan down Sri Lanka by 31 runs in Sharjah

India, defending champions England, Afghanistan and South Africa have made it to the T20 World Cup 2024 semifinals. Ahead of the semifinals, here is revealing the two teams who will enter the final if both the knockout games are washed out

T20 WC 2024: What happens if both semifinals are washed out?

IND vs AFG T20 World Cup 2024 Match: India will face Afghanistan in the Super 8 stage of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024. India advanced to the Super 8 after winning three of their four matches. Afghanistan also had a strong performance in the tournament but suffered a defeat to co-hosts West Indies.

<h2>IND vs AFG T20 World Cup 2024&nbsp;match Live Streaming details:</h2>

Here’s all &nbsp;you need to know about &nbsp;the live telecast and online streaming of the match:

<h2>When will the IND vs AFG T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match take place?</h2>

India vs Afghanistan T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match is scheduled for June 20 at 8:00 PM IST.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/virender-sehwag-accuses-pakistan-chief-selector-wahab-riaz-of-favouritism-733442">Virender Sehwag accuses Pakistan chief selector Wahab Riaz of favouritism</a>

<h2>Where will the IND vs AFG T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match take place?&nbsp;</h2>

India vs Afghanistan T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match will take place at the Kensington Oval, Bridgetown in Barbados.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/t20-world-cup-2024-quinton-de-kock-kagiso-rabada-star-as-south-africa-beat-usa-in-opening-super-8-game-733310">T20 World Cup 2024: Quinton de Kock, Kagiso Rabada star as</a>

<h2>How to watch live telecasts of the IND vs AFG T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match&nbsp;</h2>

India vs Afghanistan T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match will be telecast live on the Star Sports network in India.

<h2>How to watch live streaming of the IND vs AFG T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match</h2>

India vs Afghanistan T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match will be live-streamed on the Disney+ Hotstar app and website.&nbsp;

<h2>IND vs AFG: Pitch Report</h2>

The pitch at Kensington Oval usually helps fast bowlers. Based on this World Cup trend, fast bowlers might have an advantage in the upcoming match. Spinners who bowl faster deliveries could also do well on this pitch.

<h2>IND vs AFG: Weather Report</h2>

The temperature will likely be between 27°C and 31°C. There might be some clouds over Kensington Oval in Bridgetown on Thursday, but there is very little chance of rain interrupting the game.

<h2>IND vs AFG: Head-to-Head</h2>

India has never lost to Afghanistan in T20Is, winning all seven previous matches, including three in the T20 World Cup.

<h2>IND vs AFG: Predicted playing XI&nbsp;</h2>

India: Rohit Sharma&nbsp;(c),&nbsp;Virat Kohli,&nbsp;Rishabh Pant&nbsp;(wk), Suryakumar Yadav,&nbsp;Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya,&nbsp;Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh,&nbsp;Mohammed Siraj.

<h2>IND vs AFG: Predicted playing XI&nbsp;</h2>

Afghanistan: Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Najibullah Zadrabn, Mohammad Nabi, Karim Janat, Rashid Khan (c), Noor Ahmed, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Naveen Ul Haq.

<h2>IND vs AFG: Squads</h2>

India squad: Rohit Sharma (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Sanju Samson, Hardik Pandya (vc), Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja,&nbsp;Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav,&nbsp;Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.

Afghanistan squad:&nbsp;Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammed Ishaq (wk), Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Karim Janat, Rashid Khan (c), Nangyal Kharoti,&nbsp;Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Naveen ul Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Fareed Ahmad Malik.

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

IND vs AFG T20 World Cup 2024 Match: India will face Afghanistan in the Super 8 stage of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024. India advanced to the Super 8 after winning three of their four matches.

IND vs AFG T20 World Cup 2024 Match: India will face Afghanistan in the Super 8 stage of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024. India advanced to the Super 8 after winning three of their four matches. Afghanistan also had a strong performance in the tournament but suffered a defeat to co-hosts West Indies. IND vs AFG T20 World Cup 2024 match Live Streaming details: Here’s all you need to know about the live telecast and online streaming of the match: When will the IND vs AFG T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match take place? India vs Afghanistan T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match is scheduled for June 20 at 8:00 PM IST. Also read | Virender Sehwag accuses Pakistan chief selector Wahab Riaz of favouritism Where will the IND vs AFG T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match take place? India vs Afghanistan T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match will take place at the Kensington Oval, Bridgetown in Barbados. Also read| T20 World Cup 2024: Quinton de Kock, Kagiso Rabada star as How to watch live telecasts of the IND vs AFG T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match India vs Afghanistan T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match will be telecast live on the Star Sports network in India. How to watch live streaming of the IND vs AFG T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match India vs Afghanistan T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match will be live-streamed on the Disney+ Hotstar app and website. IND vs AFG: Pitch Report The pitch at Kensington Oval usually helps fast bowlers. Based on this World Cup trend, fast bowlers might have an advantage in the upcoming match. Spinners who bowl faster deliveries could also do well on this pitch. IND vs AFG: Weather Report The temperature will likely be between 27°C and 31°C. There might be some clouds over Kensington Oval in Bridgetown on Thursday, but there is very little chance of rain interrupting the game. IND vs AFG: Head-to-Head India has never lost to Afghanistan in T20Is, winning all seven previous matches, including three in the T20 World Cup. IND vs AFG: Predicted playing XI India: Rohit Sharma (c), Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj. IND vs AFG: Predicted playing XI Afghanistan: Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Najibullah Zadrabn, Mohammad Nabi, Karim Janat, Rashid Khan (c), Noor Ahmed, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Naveen Ul Haq. IND vs AFG: Squads India squad: Rohit Sharma (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Sanju Samson, Hardik Pandya (vc), Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj. Afghanistan squad: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammed Ishaq (wk), Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Karim Janat, Rashid Khan (c), Nangyal Kharoti, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Naveen ul Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Fareed Ahmad Malik. (With inputs from agencies)

IND vs AFG T20 Super 8: Head-to-head, pitch report, weather update, playing XI | All you need to know

The forthcoming 2024 T20 World Cup kicks off in June in the West Indies and USA. Ahead of the upcoming edition, here is a look at the batters with most sixes in the T20 WC history.

T20 World Cup 2024: Most sixes in T20 World Cup history

Ahead of the ninth edition of the Men's T20 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by West Indies and the USA in June, here is a list of batters who have most 50-plus scores in the tournament history

T20 World cup: Batters with most 50+ Scores in Men's T20 World Cup

The T20 World Cup 2024 edition kicks off next month in West Indies and the USA. It will be the ninth edition of the marquee tournament, which started in 2007. Ahead of the upcoming season, here is a look at some elite Indian players with most wins in the T20 WC history.

T20 World Cup: Indian players with most wins in T20 World Cup history

Several top captains have left their mark in T20Is, but who sits at the top with the most wins, let’s find out.

T20 World Cup 2024: Captains with Most Wins in Men’s T20Is

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