SHARJAH, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Skipper Fatima Sana put in an all-round performance to lead Pakistan to an opening victory over Sri Lanka at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 on Thursday.

The 22-year-old Sana led her side with both bat and ball, scoring 30 off 20 balls and then picking 2-10 in 3.5 overs as Pakistan beat its subcontinental rival by 31 runs.

Pakistan was bowled out for 116 runs in 20 overs but managed to defend it by restricting the Sri Lankans to 85-9 in 20 overs.

Earlier, tournament host Bangladesh beat Scotland by 16 runs to launch the World Cup far from home.

Opting to bat against the Asian Champions, Pakistan made a decent start with the bat. Four of its top-order five batters got into double figures, with Nida Dhar (23) leading the way.

Opener Muneeba Ali (11) scored the first six of the tournament despite the surface retaining its sluggish nature from the afternoon game.

Dar put on 25 runs for the fourth wicket with Omaima Sohail, who scored 18. For Sri Lanka, skipper and off-break bowler Chamari Athapaththu picked 3-18 in four overs.

Her spell set back Pakistan’s middle order before her counterpart Sana hit three fours and a six off her 20-ball flourish to push the score past 100.

Pakistan was dealt a blow early in the chase, with medium pacer Diana Beg walking off with a suspected calf injury after only one ball.

Sana then came out to finish the over and struck big, dismissing the power-hitting Chamari Athapaththu for six.

Omaima Sohail then stepped up — the medium pacer picked up two wickets in successive overs to rock the Sri Lankan chase. Four of its top five batters, including Athapaththu, failed to reach double digits.

Opener Vishmi Gunaratne kept the scorecard ticking, scoring 20 off 34 balls and holding one end together.

Nilakshi de Silva scored 22 off 25 balls to balance the middle, but a lack of key partnerships didn’t allow Sri Lanka to settle into the chase.

Left-arm spinner Sadia Iqbal picked 3-17 in four overs, while Nashra Sandhu took 2-15, as Pakistan registered a confidence-boosting win ahead of its marquee clash against India on Sunday.