By Srian Obeyesekere
Hosts Sri Lanka Women drew first blood in the 2024 Asia Cup thrashing Bangladesh Women by 7 wickets with 17 balls to spare in the inaugural night game yesterday at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium.
Having tripped Bangladesh to 111 for 8 off 20 overs, Sri Lanka romped to 114 for 3 off 17.1 with opening batter Vishmi Gunaratne leading the run charge by a cameo 48-ball 51 powered by 7 boundaries and a six and Harshitha Madavi Samarawickrama u beaten on a run a ball 31 hitting 4 boundaries after skipper Chamari Athapaththu had gone for 12. Skipper Nigar Sulana carried her bat for Bangladesh with 48 off 59 hitting 6 boundaries.
Following Gunaratne’s dismissal with the score 86 after 13.5 overs, Samarawickrama took Sri lanka past 100 in the company of Kavishka Dilhari who remained unbeaten on 12 together with Hasini Perera on 1 after Samarawickrama had been caught and bowled by Nahida Akter with the score on 108 into the 17th over. Nahida Akter took all three wickets to fall.
Sri Lanka’s main wicket takers were Inoshi Priyadharshani 2 for 17 and Udeshika Prabodhani 2 for 20.
CHIEF SCORES:
Bngladesh Women 111/8 (20 Overs) (Nigar Sultana n.o. 48, Shorna Akter 25, Rabeya Khan 10, Inoshi Priyadharshani 2 for 17 and Udeshika Prabodhani 2 for 20, Chamari Athapaththu 1/16, Sugandika Kumari 1/19, Kavisha Dilhari 1/w8)
Sri Lanka Women 114/3 (17.1 Overs) (Vishmi Gunaratne 51, Harshitha Madavi Samarawickrama 33, Chamari Athapaththu 12, Kavisha Dilhari n.o. 12, Hasini Perera n.o. 1, Nahida Akter 3/12)
