CaptainChamariAthapaththu – Sri Lanka Stay Alive With Thrilling Win Over Scotland
CaptainChamariAthapaththu – Sri Lanka produced a spirited performance to defeat Scotland by three wickets in a tense ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Group B contest on Saturday, completing the highest successful run chase in the team’s tournament history. The victory, achieved with just one delivery remaining, strengthened Sri Lanka’s chances of reaching the semi-finals while also marking the nation’s first occasion of winning three matches in a single edition of the Women’s T20 World Cup.
Scotland Build a Competitive Total
Asked to bat first, Scotland recovered well after a measured start to post 151 for six from their allotted 20 overs. The innings was anchored by Sarah Bryce, who remained unbeaten on 47 from 33 deliveries, striking six boundaries in a valuable knock that guided her side to a challenging total.
Darcey Carter also made an important contribution, scoring 36 from 34 balls to provide stability during the early stages. Although Sri Lanka’s disciplined spin attack kept the scoring under control for much of the innings, Scotland found momentum late through a 53-run partnership between Ailsa Lister and Sarah Bryce.
Lister added a brisk 26, including four boundaries, before being run out by an accurate throw from Nilakshika Silva. Scotland then lost two quick wickets near the end, preventing them from pushing beyond the 150-run mark despite Sarah Bryce’s determined finish.
Sri Lanka’s bowling effort was led by Mithali Ayodhya, who claimed two wickets, while Kavisha Dilhari impressed with economical figures of 1 for 19 from her four overs. Sharp fielding also played a key role, with two run-outs limiting Scotland’s final total.
Athapaththu Sets the Tone in the Chase
Knowing that both victory and an improved Net Run Rate were important, Sri Lanka began the chase with remarkable aggression. Captain Chamari Athapaththu wasted no time, attacking the Scottish bowlers from the outset with an explosive innings that shifted the pressure immediately.
Fresh from an unbeaten century in her previous appearance, Athapaththu hammered six boundaries and one six during her 33-run knock from only 16 balls. Her attacking approach powered Sri Lanka to 65 runs in the powerplay, the team’s highest powerplay score of the tournament before Katherine Fraser ended her innings.
Scotland Fight Back Before Late Drama
Scotland refused to surrender and clawed their way back into the contest through disciplined bowling. Katherine Fraser, captain Kathryn Bryce and Rachel Slater each made crucial breakthroughs, reducing Sri Lanka to 118 for six after 15 overs and leaving the outcome finely balanced.
As wickets continued to fall, Nilakshika Silva displayed outstanding composure under pressure. Remaining unbeaten on 21, she carefully guided the lower order while ensuring Sri Lanka stayed within touching distance of the target heading into the closing stages.
Calm Finish Keeps Semi-Final Dream Alive
The contest went down to the final over, where another twist unfolded after Rachel Slater suffered an injury during her bowling run-up and was unable to complete her delivery.
With the pressure at its highest, Sugandika Kumari held her nerve and struck the decisive boundary through the short third region, sealing a memorable three-wicket victory with one ball remaining.
The result lifted Sri Lanka to third place in Group B. With England already assured of a semi-final place, Sri Lanka now remain firmly in contention alongside West Indies and New Zealand for the remaining knockout berth, setting up an exciting finish to the group stage.