By Srian Obeyesekere

Harshitha Samarawickrama, skippering the Sri Lanka Women’s Team in the absence of regular captain Chamari Athapaththu who is in England for her Hndred Team big show rose to the occasion in a typical lead from the front batting performance to a Player of the Match unbeaten 86 off 45 balls in Sri demolishing the Ireland Women by 7 wickets by the 17th over as the Lankan lasses pounded 149 for 3 in overhauling their opponent’s 145 for 6  in the first T20I of their series against Ireland in Dublin.

Ireland, pu into bat, totaled 145 for 6 with opener Gaby Lewis top scoring with 39 off 33 followed by Oria Prendergast 29 off 27, captain Laura Delany 25 off 21, and Rebecca Stokell 21 not out off 16. 

Samarawickrama, who has been in cracking form having shone in the Asia Cup final against India in winning the trophy, once again hit top fettle hammering 15 boundaries and a six  in adding 83 for the first wicket with Vishmi Gunaratne 30 off 34 balls.

Off spinner Inoshi Priyadharshani was the pick of the Lankan bowlers claiming 2 for 35.

Sri Lanka 149 for 3 (Samarawickrama 86*, Gunaratne 30) beat Ireland 145 for 6 (Lewis 39, Priyadharshani 2-35)