Fatima sets challenge for Pakistan in Sri Lanka ODI series

Pakistan captain Fatima Sana wants to see her side continue their good recent form in 50-over cricket when they take on Asian rival Sri Lanka in a three-match ODI series beginning on Thursday.

Pakistan have made a strong start to the ICC Women's Championship, with the side currently sitting in second place on the standings on the back of a recent series sweep over Zimbabwe in Karachi in May.

They get the chance to make further inroads in the event when they take on third-placed Sri Lanka in three ODI contests in Hambantota and Fatima is urging her side to continue on their winning ways.

“We are hopeful to do well here and looking forward to rectify our mistakes and build on our performance from the previous two ODI series against South Africa away and Zimbabwe at home," Fatima told PCB Digital.

"The goal is to try and build a good ODI unit for Pakistan with effective usage of the talent of young players as well as the experienced ones."

Pakistan most recently competed in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup, with the side producing plenty of promising efforts across five appearances and managing one victory over the Netherlands in Bristol as Australia eventually finished as the tournament winners.

Fatima led the way during the T20 World Cup by scoring 85 runs and collecting 11 wickets and the Pakistan captain has challenged her teammates to follow her lead and play attacking cricket when taking on Sri Lanka.

“The message to players has been to play attacking and fearless cricket as per the demands of the modern-day sport and the sooner we can work around on our flaws and overcome shortcomings, the better it is for the team’s progress," Fatima noted.

“Keeping the local Sri Lankan conditions in mind here in Hambantota, we will look to fight to the end, handle pressure situations well across the length of an ODI game and will look to remain positive.”

Pakistan squad: Fatima Sana (c), Ayesha Zafar, Gull Feroza, Maham Anees, Momina Riasat, Muneeba Ali Siddiqui, Najiha Alvi, Nashra Sundhu, Sadaf Shamas, Saira Jabeen, Sidra Amin, Syeda Aroob Shah, Tasmia Rubab, Umm-e-Hani, Waheeda Akhter

Sri Lanka squad: Chamari Athapaththu (c), Anushka Sanjeewani, Chethana Vimukthi, Dewmi Vihanga, Hansima Karunaratne, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Hasini Perera, Imeesha Dulani, Inoka Ranaweera, Kaveesha Dilhari, Kawya Kavindi, Nilakshika Silva, Nimasha Meepage, Rashmika Sewwandi, Vishmi Gunaratne

Series schedule:

First ODI: July 23, Hambantota
Second ODI: July 25, Hambantota
Third ODI: July 28, Hambantota

First T20I: July 31, Dambulla
Second T20I: August 2, Dambulla
Third T20I: August 4, Dambulla