Sri Lanka Women Triumph Over WI with Skipper’s Leadership
In a thrilling T20 encounter, Sri Lanka Women emerged victorious over West Indies Women by four wickets, with skipper Chamari Athapaththu leading the charge. The match took place at the National Cricket Stadium in St. George’s, Grenada. This victory marked a strong start for the Sri Lankan team in their three-match series.
Sri Lanka’s Dominant Performance
After the West Indies won the toss and chose to bat, their performance fell short once again. The home side managed a mere 101 runs, all out within 20 overs. This was a slight improvement compared to their previous match, where they were routed for just 49 runs.
Athapaththu’s All-Round Brilliance
- Chamari Athapaththu was awarded Player of the Match.
- She took 2 wickets for 13 runs in 4 overs.
- Athapaththu also scored the top run of the innings with 39 runs off 26 balls.
The West Indies struggled against the Sri Lankan bowlers, with their top scorer being captain Hayley Matthews, who managed only 28 runs off 36 balls. The batting lineup faltered, with only one other player reaching double figures. The team’s early collapse left them at 22 for two wickets, following Athapaththu’s early breakthroughs.
Bowling Highlights
- Malki Madara took 3 wickets for 16 runs.
- Nilakshika Silva also excelled with 3 for 20.
- Athapaththu contributed with 2 for 13.
Sri Lanka’s response was steady, beginning with a solid partnership of 62 runs between Athapaththu and fellow opener Perera. While the West Indies attempted a comeback, claiming two quick wickets, Kavisha Dilhari’s unbeaten 18 ensured Sri Lanka chased down the target of 102 with 11 balls remaining.
Upcoming Match
The teams are set to face off again in the third and final match of the series. Athapaththu’s leadership and performance will be pivotal as Sri Lanka seeks to secure a series victory.
