Sri Lanka and Bangladesh produced superlative performances to secure victories over Malaysia and Thailand in group B and inch closer to the semifinal berth at the Women's Asia Cup T20 tournament in Dambulla on Monday. (Full Coverage | More Cricket News)
While hosts Sri Lanka thrashed Malaysia by a massive 114 runs, Bangladesh outwitted Thailand by seven wickets later in 🐠the day. With four points each, Sri Lanka and Banꦓgladesh occupy the top two spots.
Chamari Athapaththu was the architect of Sri Lanka's dominating win as she smashed a 69-ball 119 not out, studded with 14 boundaries and sevꦺen sixes to single-handedly power the team to a da🔯unting 184 for 4 after opting to bat.
Harshitha Madavi (26) aಌnd Anushka Sanjeewani (31)🧸 also chipped in with useful contributions.
The bowlers then joined the party as Shashini Gimhani (3/9), Kawya K💞avindi (2/7) and Kavisha Dilh🎐ari (2/4) produced incredible figures to bundle Malaysia out for just 40 in 19.5 overs.
Inoshi Priyadharshani (1/10), Sachini Nisansala (1/4) and Ama Kanchana (1/5) also snapped a wic𝔍ket😼 each.
For Malaysia, only Elsa Hunter could reach double-digit figures, making 10 in 11 ball🍒s. Aina Najwa scored 9 after facing 43 balls, which was the reason that Malaysia could last that many overs.
In the second match of🎃 the day, Thailand cut a sorry figure as they could manage just 96 for 9 in their stipulated 20 overs, courtesy a 𓄧41-ball 40 by opener Nattaya Boochatham after deciding to take the first strike.
Rabeya Khan w𝐆as the most successful bowler as she returned with four wickets for 14 runs, while Sabikun Nahar (2/28) and Ritu Moni (2/10) took two wickets each to break the back of their opponents.
Chaꦓsing 97 for a win, Murshida Khatun made 50 off 55 balls as Bangladesh romped home, scoring 100 for 3 in 17.3 overs.
Dilara Akter (17) was run out in the fifth over but Khatun and Ishma Tanjim (16) shar♌ed 60 runs to steady the chase.
Brief Scores:
Sri Lanka 184 for 4 (Chamari Athapaththu 119; Winifred Duraisingam 2/34) beat Malaysia 40 all out in 19.5 overs (Elsa Hunter 10; Shashiꦑni Gimhani 3/9) by 144 runs.
Thailand 96 for 9 (Nattaya Boochatha🌺m 40; Rabeya Khan 4/14) lost to Bangladesh 100 for 3 in 17.3 overs (Murshida Khatun 50; Phannita Maya 1/8) by seven wickets.
