May 06, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka has secured its spot alongside Scotland as the second qualifier for this year’s ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, set to take place in Bangladesh from 3 to 20 October.
In a tense semi-final match against hosts United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, Sri Lanka’s experienced team defended their 149-run total, ultimately emerging victorious.
The match saw Sri Lanka’s opening pair, Vishmi Gunaratne and captain Chamari Athapaththu, deliver a solid start with a 52-run partnership.
Despite Athapaththu’s contribution of 21 runs, including two consecutive sixes, she fell to UAE’s leg-spinner Vaishnave Mahesh (2/33), providing a breakthrough for the opposition.
Gunaratne continued her impressive form, accumulating 45 runs before being stumped off a wide ball by Esha Oza (2/27).
Sri Lanka’s middle-order, comprising Harshitha Madavi (24), Hasini Perera (15), Kavisha Dilhari (17), and Nilakshi De Silva (18), contributed crucial boundaries to set a competitive total of 149 runs.
In response, UAE’s Oza showcased exceptional batting prowess with a blazing 66 off 44 balls, supported by partnerships with Khushi Sharma (22) and Kavisha Egodage (16).
However, Sri Lanka’s bowlers, led by Athapaththu (2/28), restricted UAE to 134/7 by the end of their innings.
Despite Oza’s remarkable performance, Sri Lanka maintained control, clinching victory by 15 runs and securing their place in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier final against Scotland.
