Sri Lanka women’s team led by Chamari Athapaththu expected to finish with an unbeaten record when they will play ICC women’s T-20 cricket qualifying tournament final against Scotland today at Abu Dhabi, commencing from 9 pm Sri Lanka time.
Chamari Athapaththu’s team is high in confidence after having won all league matches and semi final with winning mentality while their team spirit always very high before the final. Both Scottish and Sri Lanka lasses are already qualified to play ICC T-20 women’s World Cup which scheduled to be played next October in Bangladesh. With their recent success of the South Africa tour as well as previous qualifying games Sri Lanka want to finish on a high note.
Skipper Chamari Athapaththu always said they wanted to go for the T-20 World Cup with good records. “My aim is to reach T-20 World Cup semi final and my players are very keen to do it in great style,” she said.
The semi final game between Sri Lanka and UAE, Sri Lanka couldn’t score as they expected and finally they had to be satisfied with 149 runs but the way Sri Lanka bowlers controlled the game to win by 15 runs was commendable.
Chamari Athapaththu’s wicket is the key for Scotland players. However Chamari Athapaththu couldn’t score heavily and young Vishmi Gunaratne took the responsibility to score 45 runs while Harshitha Samarawickrama, Hasini Perera and Nilakshika Silva are the other batters who can make good score to build up the innings. Kavisha Dilhari and wicket keeper Anushka Sanjeewani also useful batters in the middle order.
Inoshi Priyadharshani Fernando the off spinner and fast bowler Udeshika Probodani can make early breakthrough while the spin and fast bowling combination always get success for Sri Lanka women’s team and part time off spinner Chamari Athapaththu also proved that she can make breakthrough.
Meanwhile Scotland eight wicket win over Ireland at the semi final gave big boost to them before the final. A dominant all round performance by Scottish team was evident at the semi final. Skipper Kathryn Bryce had fine figures of 4 for 8 and scoring 35 runs not out paved the way to the final. Ireland women managed to get 110 for 9 wickets in 20 overs while winning Scotland team reached their target in 16.2 overs at the final.
Megan McColl scored a match winning knock of fifty well supported by skipper Bryce while their team is ready to take Sri Lanka challenge.
Dhammika Ratnaweera