SOUTHAMTON, June 16 (ePRESS) – Sri Lanka Women pulled off a thrilling five-wicket victory over New Zealand Women with two balls to spare in their ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Group 2 match at the Rose Bowl in Southampton on Tuesday, thanks to an unbeaten match-winning half-century from Nilakshika Silva.
Chasing a challenging target of 151, Sri Lanka reached 153 for 5 in 19.4 overs after recovering from early setbacks. Nilakshika Silva stood firm under pressure and guided her side home with a superb unbeaten 54 off 37 balls, earning the Player of the Match award.
Sri Lanka made a bright start through captain Chamari Athapaththu, who blasted 27 off 19 balls with four boundaries and a six. However, New Zealand fought back strongly as Nensi Patel removed Vishmi Gunaratne and Harshitha Samarawickrama while Hasini Perera and Kavisha Dilhari were run out.
At 55 for 4, Sri Lanka looked in trouble, but Nilakshika launched a determined rescue act. She first added valuable runs with Dilhari before combining with wicketkeeper Kaushini Nuthyangana for an unbeaten sixth-wicket stand that turned the match in Sri Lanka’s favour.
Kaushini played a fearless supporting role, scoring an unbeaten 24 from just 14 deliveries with three boundaries. Nilakshika reached her fifty in only 33 balls and struck five fours and a six as Sri Lanka completed one of their finest World Cup victories.
Earlier, New Zealand posted 150 for 6 after electing to bat first. Captain Melie Kerr and veteran Sophie Devine led the innings with identical scores of 45.
Kerr struck five boundaries in her 36-ball knock while Devine hammered four fours and a six from 30 deliveries. The pair shared important partnerships to keep New Zealand on course for a strong total.
Sri Lanka’s bowlers, however, prevented the White Ferns from accelerating in the closing overs. Kavisha Dilhari was the most successful bowler with 2 for 35, while Mithali Ayodhya, Nimasha Meepage, Sugandika Kumari and Chamari Athapaththu claimed one wicket each.
New Zealand were restricted to 150 for 6 despite reaching 139 for 5 in the 18th over, with Sri Lanka producing a disciplined finish with the ball.
