BRISTOL, June 23 (ePRESS) – Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu blasted an unbeaten 106 as Sri Lanka crushed Ireland by nine wickets in their ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Group 2 match at the County Ground in Bristol on Tuesday.
Athapaththu produced a captain’s innings, hammering 17 fours and two sixes in a dazzling 61-ball knock as Sri Lanka reached 134-1 in just 15.3 overs to overhaul Ireland’s total of 130-5 with ease.
After electing to field first, Sri Lanka struck early and reduced Ireland to 19-3 inside five overs. Ireland captain Gaby Lewis fought back with a well-made 59 off 50 balls, hitting eight boundaries to anchor the innings.
Leah Paul contributed 20 while Alice Tector remained unbeaten on 28, helping Ireland recover from a shaky start to post a competitive total.
Sri Lanka’s bowlers shared the wickets, with Mithali Ayodhya, Sugandika Kumari, Chamari Athapaththu and Nilakshika Silva claiming one wicket each. A run-out of Amy Hunter added to Ireland’s troubles.
The chase belonged entirely to Athapaththu. The Sri Lankan skipper attacked from the outset and reached her half-century in just 30 balls before bringing up a magnificent century from 58 deliveries.
She shared a 98-run opening partnership with Imesha Dulani, who made 20, effectively taking the match away from Ireland.
Athapaththu remained unbeaten on 106, while Nilakshika Silva was unbeaten on four as Sri Lanka sealed a convincing victory and boosted their hopes in the tournament.
Scores:
Ireland Women 130-5 in 20 overs (Gaby Lewis 59, Alice Tector 28 not out; Mithali Ayodhya 1-18, Sugandika Kumari 1-26, Chamari Athapaththu 1-23) lost to
Sri Lanka Women 134-1 in 15.3 overs (Chamari Athapaththu 106 not out, Imesha Dulani 20) by nine wickets.
