Sri Lanka’s captain, Chamari Athapaththu, played a stellar innings, scoring an unbeaten century to secure a commanding nine-wicket win over Ireland in the Women’s T20 World Cup. Athapaththu’s remarkable knock of 106 not out off 61 balls, including 17 fours and two sixes, led Sri Lanka to chase down Ireland’s total of 130/5 in just 15.3 overs.
Athapaththu expressed her fondness for Bristol, where she has had significant success, especially in England. She emphasized the importance of playing her natural game and contributing to the team’s victory, stating that leading from the front is her primary responsibility as captain.
The Sri Lankan skipper’s aggressive batting propelled her team to a strong start, reaching 55 without loss in the powerplay and achieving a half-century off 30 balls. She went on to convert it into a century off 59 deliveries, dominating the Irish bowlers with her attacking strokeplay.
While Athapaththu’s batting prowess shone, she also commended Sri Lanka’s bowling unit for their performance in restricting Ireland to 130/5. The bowlers, led by young talent Mithali Ayodhya, effectively contained the opposition’s batting lineup, ensuring Sri Lanka’s victory.
Sri Lanka’s win against Ireland has kept their hopes alive for a spot in the semi-finals, with their final group-stage match against Scotland on the horizon. Despite facing uncertainties due to a previous loss to the West Indies, Athapaththu remains optimistic, urging her team to focus on delivering their best performance in the upcoming crucial fixture.
