Harshitha Samarawickrama and Nilakshi de Silva’s fighting partnership steered Sri Lanka to a seven-wicket win over Bangladesh as they continued their winning steack to the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa.
Sri Lanka were reduced to 26 for three in the powerplay but opener Harshitha Samarawickrama’s assured knock of 69 not out, coupled with Nilakshi De Silva’s unbeaten 41 at the other end, ensured Chamari Athapaththu’s side made it two wins in the space of three days at Newlands.This is the first time Sri Lanka women’s recorded back to back victories at World Cup. Harshitha Samarawickrama was named player of the match.
Harshitha said she was very confident after skipper Chamari Athapaththu who made brisk innings with solid platform. Actually we played very positive while my teammates gave good support. The wicket was more bouncy while I had to determine to play long innings to chase the total. Our bowlers did decent job to restrict Bangladesh for 126 and all are in good shape to play next game.
Bangladesh posted a total of 126 for eight in Cape Town as Oshadi Ranasinghe’s fine spell of three for 23 restricted them to a below-par total.
Laser-precise seamer Marufa Akter ripped through the Sri Lankan top order but Samarawickrama and De Silva steadied the ship to claim Sri Lanka’s first ever back-to-back wins at a Women’s T20 World Cup and extend their impressive start in Group A.
Earlier Bangladesh won the toss and elected to bat in Cape Town – but it was Sri Lanka who landed the first blow in dramatic fashion.
Opening batter Murshida Khatun was run out after facing just a single delivery from a fabulous direct hit from Inoka Ranaweera at short fine leg.
Sobhana Mostary and wicketkeeper Sultana set about laying the foundations for the innings before Shamima was stumped by opposite number Anushka Sanjeewani off the bowling of Ranasinghe for 20.
That brought Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana to the crease, who helped construct a patient partnership alongside No.3 Sobhana.
But it ended inside the 10th over when Sobhana was bowled by Athapaththu for 29.
Bangladesh were struggling to manufacture any form of meaningful partnership and wickets continued to fall at regular intervals throughout the innings.
Shamima succumbed to Ranasinghe for 28 before the off-spinner claimed her third victim by getting Lata Mondal stumped for 11.
That left Shamima’s side with considerable work to do during the final five overs, but Shorna Akter, Ritu Moni and Nahida Akter were all dismissed cheaply to leave them with a total of 126 for eight at the halfway stage.
Sri Lanka may have fancied their chances setting out in pursuit of a chaseable-looking target – but Marufu had other ideas after being handed the ball by Shamima under the Cape Town lights.
The accurate seamer remarkably removed Athapaththu, Vishmi Gunaratne and Sanjeewani without conceding a single run in her spell, tearing through the Sri Lankan top order to leave them reeling at 26 for three inside the powerplay.
But that brought the composed duo of Samarawickrama and De Silva to the crease, who set about the recovery mission with alacrity and continued to chip away at the total.
And they showed no signs of letting their ever-increasing grip on the game slip, bringing up their hundred partnership in the 19th over and guiding their country to a historic second win on the spin at Newlands.
Meanwhile Sri Lanka head coach of the women’s team Rumesh Ratnayake said it was nice to see his team performing really well in South Africa. We are expected to take match by match while our plans are very positive. Skipper Chamari always give good leadership while all team members are dedicated to go forward. Our girls are playing very well and it’s good to see back to back victories after began this World Cup its give them big boost said Rumesh Ratnayake who was appointed three months before for this responsibilitly as a coach. Former Sri Lanka women’s coach Hashan Tillekaratne is the present head coach of Bangladesh women’s cricket team. Earlier the opening game Sri Lanka defeated host South Africa with a thrilling two runs win.
Chief scores
Bangladesh women’s 126 for eight in 20 overs (Sobhana Mostary 29, Nigar Sultana 28; Oshadi Ranasinghe 3/23, Chamari Athapaththu 2/19, Inoka Ranaweera 1/18.
Sri Lanka women’s 129/3 in 18.2 overs (Harshitha Samarawickrama 69 not out, Chamari Athapaththu 15, Nilakshi de Silva 41 not out; Marufa Akter 3/23).