Dominant Athapaththu Century Secures Sri Lanka’s T20 World Cup Qualifier Triumph
Chamari Athapaththu smashed a remarkable 102 runs off 63 balls, guiding Sri Lanka to a convincing win over Scotland in the final of the Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier held in Abu Dhabi.
Scotland’s response was never successful as Prabodhani and the bowlers assisted Sri Lanka in defending 169.
Scotland 101 for 7 (Chatterji 30, Prabodhani 3-13, Priyadharshani 1-13) lost to Sri Lanka 169 for 5 (Athapaththu 102, Silva 26*, Slater 2-35) by 68 runs.
With the help of captain Chamari Athapaththu’s 102 off 63 balls, Sri Lanka defeated Scotland in the Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier final in Abu Dhabi.
Thus, when the World Cup officially begins in October, Sri Lanka will be in Group A with Australia, India, New Zealand, and Pakistan, and Scotland will be in Group B with South Africa, England, the West Indies, and Bangladesh.
In the third over, Athapaththu lost her opening partner Vishmi Gunaratne after Scotland asked Sri Lanka to bat. In the sixth over, Katherine Fraser pinned Harshitha Samarawickrama, and she was the next to go. After that, Kavisha Dilhari at No. 4 made 15 off of 13 balls before Abtaha Maqsood stumped her.
In the meantime, Athapaththu kept amassing runs on her own, scoring 83 runs in her 106-run partnership with Nilakshika Silva. In the 19th over, she reached her century off 60 balls. With four balls left in Sri Lanka’s innings, Athapaththu was dismissed by Rachel Slater after hitting 13 fours and 4 sixes in her 63-ball stay. Then, on the penultimate ball, Silva hit a six to give Scotland a target of 170.
As compensation, Scotland started the chase very well, with openers Megan McColl and Saskia Horley connecting for three fours apiece before the breakdown started. Udeshika Prabodhani, a left-arm medium bowler, took a double-wicket maiden in the fourth over after Horley was run-out in the third.
Also Read: ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Winners List (1973-2023) Full Winners And Runners List
Then, Sri Lanka’s spinners grabbed control, putting Scotland through severe middle overs. Even though Priyanaz Chatterji put up a valiant fight with a thirty-four off just thirty balls, Scotland was ultimately left 68 runs short.
After defeating the United Arab Emirates and Ireland, respectively, on Friday, Sri Lanka and Scotland had already secured their places in the actual T20 World Cup, which will take place in Bangladesh later this year, before their meeting on Tuesday.
