The Sri Lanka women’s team, led by Chamari Athapaththu, put up a superb team effort to beat UAE by 15 runs in the semi-final of the T20 Women’s World Cup Qualifying cricket fixture held in Abu Dhabi yesterday.
Despite UAE’s best efforts, they could only manage to score 134/7 in their allotted 20 overs while chasing a target of 150 runs set by Sri Lanka. With this win, Sri Lanka has qualified for the final against Scotland, which will take place tomorrow. Both teams have also secured a place in the ICC T20 World Cup, which is scheduled to start in October in Bangladesh.
Sri Lanka’s Vishmi Gunaratne top-scored with a fine knock of 45 runs while Esha Oza was the highest scorer for UAE with 66 runs. UAE openers Esha Oza and Theertha Sathish couldn’t make a good start, while Theertha was out for a duck in the first over being bowled by Inoshi Fernando. But skipper Esha Oza made 66 in 44 balls with 2 fours and 4 sixes, and Khushi Sharma added 22 in 23 balls with 2 fours, adding a 66-run second-wicket stand. However, Sri Lanka’s bowlers made a good comeback, adding more pressure to restrict UAE for 134/7 in their allotted 20 overs. Skipper Chamari Athapaththu bowled well and picked up 2 wickets, giving away 28 runs.
Sri Lanka started positively when openers Vishmi Gunaratne and skipper Chamari Athapaththu added a 52-run stand in 7.2 overs. Athapaththu, who scored a run-a-ball 21 with a four and two sixes, was the first to be sent back to the pavilion, while Vaishnave Mahesh took the prized wicket as wicket-keeper Theertha Satish made a good piece of work to get a stumping chance. The promising batter Vishmi Gunaratne had to take full responsibility after the departure of skipper Athapaththu, and she joined Harshitha Samarawickrama, adding a 44-run second-wicket stand.
Harshitha scored 24 runs in 27 balls with a four, while Vishmi Gunaratne was unfortunately deprived of her well-deserved half-century by five runs. Vishmi hit a fine knock of 45 runs in 44 balls with 5 fours after being stumped by wicket-keeper Theertha Sathish.
Kavisha Dilhari (17) and Nilakshika Silva (18) added useful knocks as Sri Lanka made 149/6 in 20 overs. Vaishnavi Mahesh and skipper Esha Oza took bowling honors, taking 2 wickets each.
Meanwhile, Kavisha Egodage, the Sri Lankan player based in UAE, finished with figures of 1 for 28 in her 3 overs spell.
Meanwhile, in the other semi-final played yesterday, Scotland women beat Ireland women by 8 wickets, and tomorrow (7), Sri Lanka will meet Scotland in the final in Abu Dhabi from 9 pm (Sri Lanka time).
Chief scores
Sri Lanka women’s 149 for 6 wickets in 20 overs Vishmi Gunaratne 45, Chamari Athapaththu 21, Harshitha Samarawickrama 24, Hasini Perera 15, Kavisha Dilhari 18, Kavisha Egodage 1/28, Vaishnave Mahesh 2/33, Esha Oza 2/27,
UAE women’s 134 for 7 wickets in 20 overs Esha Oza 66, Khushi Sharma 22, Kavisha Egodage 16, Vaishnavi Mahesh 13*,Inoshi Fernando 1/29, Sugandika Kumari 1/21,Udeshika Probodani 1/31, Chamari Athapaththu 2/38.
Dhammika Ratnaweera