By Srian Obeyesekere

Chamari Athapaththu starred in a lead from the front captain’s innings of 102 off 63 balls in steering Sri Lanka Women to a comprehensive 58-run win over Scotland Women in the Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier in Abu Dhabi yesterday. Having totaled 169 for 9 after being put into bat, the Lankan spinners restricted Scotland to 101 for 7 in 20 overs.

The crucial win will has put Sri Lanka in Group A alongside Australia, India, New Zealand and Pakistan in the in the World Cup proper in October. Meanwhile, Scotland will join Group B Alongside South Africa, England, West Indies and Bangladesh.

However, both sides had already selade their entry to the world cup even before the qualifying final.

Put into bat, Athapaththu took control despite losing her opening partner Vishmi Gunaratne in the third over and Harshitha Samarawickrama in the sixth over. Kavisha Dilhari at No. 4 then contributed 15 off 13 balls before being stumped off Abtaha Maqsood.

Athapaththu shrugged off the early setbacks in a virtual lone effort tearing into the Scotland attack with Kavisha Dilhari playing a support role 15 runs. From there, she went on to post 106 for the fourth-wicket with Nilakshi de Silva of which 83 came from the captain’s bat.

Athapaththu struck 13 boundaries and four sixes bringing up her century off 60 balls.

De Silva remained unbeaten on 23 striking a six in the penultimate ball of the innings.

Priyanaz Chatterji top scored for Scotland with 34 off 30.

Sri Lanka 169 for 5 (Athapaththu 102, Silva 26*, Slater 2-35) beat Scotland101 for 7 (Chatterji 30, Prabodhani 3-13, Priyadharshani 1-13) by 68 runs