Chamari Atapattu’s all-round efforts with both and ball helped Sri Lanka defeat Bangladesh in their final game of the Women’s Asia Cup held in Bangkok. Chasing 94, Sri Lanka got to the target with 7 wickets and 6 deliveries to spare.
Sri Lanka skipper Hasini Perera won the toss and elected to field 1st in what was a must-win encounter for the Lankans, if they were to keep their hopes alive in the competition. Bangladesh’s opening pair began cautiously but survived 9.3 overs to give their team a solid start as they put on 43 for the 1st wicket.
Atapattu was the one to make the breakthrough for the Lankans as she had Shanima Sultana caught and bowled for 17. What followed was a dry spell for the batters as although they did not lose any wickets until the 17th over, Sanjida Islam and Shaila Shamin made just 28 runs in the next 8 overs. Atapattu struck once again to remove Islam while Sripali Weerakkody chipped in with the wicket of Rumana Ahamed as the Bangladeshis finished on 93/3 in their 20 overs.
Sri Lanka switched up their openers for this game, opting to go with Yasoda Mendis and Nipuni Hansika, the latter having had some success during the recent England tour opening the batting. It was slow going for the Lankans as well and the new opening stand was broken on 19 when Hansika was dismissed by Ahamed.
Mendis and Atapattu then took Sri Lanka to the doorstep of victory with a solid 58 run partnership for the 2nd wicket. Both batters fell off consecutive deliveries in the 14th over however Dilani Manodara and Skipper Hasini Perera took Sri Lanka across the finishing line with an unbroken 20 run partnership.
Despite the comprehensive win, Sri Lanka were knocked out of the tournament as Pakistan booked their spot in the final with a comfortable win over hosts Thailand later in the day. The south Asian arch rivals India and Pakistan will face off in the final of the competition tomorrow.
