Gul Feroza targets 3-0 sweep after match-winning knock against Sri Lanka

Pakistan opener Gul Feroza said the team would aim to secure maximum ICC Women’s Championship points after beginning the ODI series against Sri Lanka with a five-wicket victory.

Feroza was named Player of the Match for her decisive innings in the opening ODI and said she was pleased to contribute to Pakistan’s win.

“I am very happy that I scored runs and won the Player of the Match award,” she said. “I was confident about scoring runs and happy that I played my role in the team’s victory.”

She praised Pakistan’s bowlers for staging a strong comeback and preventing Sri Lanka from posting a challenging total.

“Our bowlers bowled very well and made a great comeback in the match,” Feroza said. “They did not allow Sri Lanka Women to score freely and restricted them to a low total.”

Explaining Pakistan’s batting strategy, Feroza said the plan was to avoid unnecessary risks and play each delivery on merit.

“Our simple plan for the partnership was not to rush and to take our time,” she said. “Since I was already set, the decision was that I should continue playing attacking cricket, while Sidra Amin needed some time to settle.”

Feroza said the opening victory had given Pakistan confidence for the remainder of the series.

“This is a good start for us,” she said. “We have won the first match and will move forward with a positive mindset. We will try to maintain the same level of performance.”

With the matches forming part of the ICC Women’s Championship, she said Pakistan’s priority was to collect as many points as possible.

“Our aim is to get maximum points, and we will try to win the series 3-0,” she said.

Feroza admitted she was disappointed not to complete a century, saying her intention had been to remain at the crease until the end of the chase.

“Obviously, it is disappointing not to complete a hundred,” she said. “My plan was to finish the match, but that could not happen. The important thing, however, is that Pakistan won.”

Looking ahead to the second ODI, Feroza said she hoped to continue her form and again contribute to the team’s success.