- Record their biggest win in WT20Is
DUBAI: Sri Lanka opened their Women’s Asia Cup campaign with a nine-wicket victory over the UAE after bowling them out for 79 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Saturday.
Chethana Vimukthi and Mithali Ayodhya took three wickets each, Sugandika Kumari took two, and Chamari Athapaththu scored an unbeaten 48 off 25 balls. Imesha Dulani made 25 off 18 as Sri Lanka reached the target in 7.5 overs. Sri Lanka won with 73 balls remaining, their largest margin in WT20Is by balls remaining.
Sri Lanka chose to bowl and made an early breakthrough when Ayodhya removed Theertha Satish for a duck with the fourth ball of the innings. Chethana Vimukthi then dismissed Lavanya Keny in the fourth over to leave the UAE 8 for 2. Esha Oza and Heena Hotchandani attempted to steady the innings, but runs were hard to come by; UAE finished the Powerplay on 16 for 2.
At the halfway point UAE were 31 for 3 and had faced 37 dot balls. Hotchandani fell for 10 off 18 to Chamari Athapaththu, and Rinitha Rajith made 15 off 16 before wickets continued to fall. Samaira Dharnidharka scored 17 off 25 and was caught and bowled by Kavisha Dilhari in the 15th over. Rajith was out in the 19th over, and Ayodhya returned to dismiss the last two batters, leaving UAE all out for 79.
Sri Lanka batted with intent. Dulani and Athapaththu hit boundaries from the start; Dulani struck five fours in her 18-ball 25. Athapaththu reached 500 runs in Women’s Asia Cups during the innings when she hit a six off Esha Oza in the fourth over.
The pair added a half-century inside the Powerplay. Dulani was run out for 25 when a drive from Athapaththu deflected off the bowler and hit the stumps at the non-striker’s end. Athapaththu continued with Sanjana Kavindi, hit a six off Athige Silva, and finished the chase with a couple to complete the win.
Chethana Vimukthi won player of the match on her WT20I debut after finishing with figures of 3 for 16.
Scores:
UAE 79 (19.5) (Esha Oza 18; Mithali Ayodhya 3/14, Chethana Vimukthi 3/16, Sugandika Kumari 2/18) lost to Sri Lanka 80-1 (7.5) (Chamari Athapaththu 48*, Imesha Dulani 25)
