Chamari Atpattu’s brilliant all-round display helped Sri Lanka pick up a consolation seven-wicket win in their final league game of the 2016 ACC Women’s Asia Cup T20 against Bangladesh at the AIT Cricket Ground on Saturday.
The former captain picked up two wickets to return with figures of 2 for 24 before hammering a quick 39 that helped Sri Lanka overhaul the 94-run target with an over to spare.
Put in to bat under cloudy skies, Bangladesh were helped to the modest total courtesy a fine batting display from Sanjida Islam (35) and Shaila Sharmin (25 not out). But the failure to accelerate after a flying start kept them to a sub-par total. Sanjida put up two valuable partnerships, worth 43 with fellow opener Sharmin Sultana (17) and 28 with no. 3 bat Shaila to set Bangladesh a solid platform. But once Atapattu sent Sharmin packing, the innings lost momentum. Even though the Sri Lankan went for 24 runs in her four-over quota, her wicket of Sanjida cost Bangladesh valuable runs in the death overs.
In their reply, Atapattu then shone with the bat to guide her side to a comfortable win despite an early hiccup. Yasoda Mendis, drafted back in to the playing XI, walked out to open but lost partner Nipuni Hansika after a brief 19-run stand. Atapattu then joined hands with Mendis to put Sri Lanka on the brink of their third win in the tournament. Atapattu played the aggressor in their 58-run partnership while the senior opener contributed a sedate 24 off 39 balls before both fell off successive deliveries when Sri Lanka needed another 17.
Skipper Hasini Perera and senior all rounder Dilani Manodara, who stayed unbeaten on nine each, wrapped the formalities with the final ball of the 19th over to bow out on a high.
Scores: Bangladesh 93-3 in 20 overs (Sanjida Islam 35, Shaila Sharmin 25 n.o.; Chamari Atapattu 2/24)
Sri Lanka 97-3 in 19 overs (Chamari Atapattu 39, Yasoda Mendis 24; Rumana Ahmed 2/7).
Pakistan beats Thailand
Sana Mir and Anam Amin helped Pakistan run through the Thailand line-up before crawling their way to the 52-run target to secure their spot in the final of 2016 ACC Women’s Asia Cup final with a five-wicket win, at the AIT Cricket Ground on the outskirts of Bangkok on Saturday.
Scores: Thailand 51 in 18.2 overs (Nattakan Chantham 13; Sana Mir 4/9, Anam Amir 2/6)
Pakistan 52-5 in 11.4 overs (Asmavia Iqbal 24, Nida Rashid 14; Suleeporn Laomi 3/9)