Harshitha powers unbeaten Sri Lanka into the semi-finals
Sri Lanka CricketNews article
With Sri Lanka struggling at 44 for 5 and the match swinging Bangladesh’s way, Harshitha Samarawickrama took up the fight, rebuilding the innings under pressure before a huge six off the final ball of the 19th over shifted the advantage firmly back to Sri Lanka. That left Sri Lanka needing only 2 runs from the final over, and they eventually defeated Bangladesh by 4 wickets with 4 balls to spare to complete the first round of the Women’s Asia Cup unbeaten and qualify for the last four on the night of today (06).
Batting first in the match in Dubai, Bangladesh Women scored 114 for 8 from their 20 overs. Chasing a target of 115, Sri Lanka came under intense pressure from the Bangladesh bowlers early on, with their first five batters sent back to the pavilion by the time the total reached 44.
Sri Lanka’s innings began with captain Chamari Athapaththu falling for 1, while Imesha Dulani made 12, Sanjana Kavindi 9 and Vishmi Gunaratne 9. When Kavisha Dilhari was run out for 3, Sri Lanka were in deep trouble at 44 for 5.
Bangladesh fast bowler Marufa Akter put Sri Lanka under pressure from the outset. She conceded only 21 runs in her 4 overs and claimed 3 wickets, first dismissing Chamari Athapaththu and Imesha Dulani before returning in the 17th over to remove Nilakshika Silva, breaking the crucial sixth-wicket partnership and playing a major role in disrupting Sri Lanka’s innings. Marufa’s bowling was a particularly significant factor in Sri Lanka losing their first five wickets for 44. But Harshitha Samarawickrama’s late counterattack overshadowed that fine spell and prevented Bangladesh from defending their total.
Although the match appeared to be in Bangladesh’s hands at that stage, Harshitha Samarawickrama refused to give up. She rebuilt the innings with Nilakshika Silva and brought Sri Lanka back into the contest by scoring whenever the bowlers offered an opportunity. Even after Nilakshika was dismissed for 18, Harshitha held her end and steadily reduced the runs required for victory.
All eyes eventually turned to the final delivery of the 19th over. Harshitha struck Marufa Akter for a huge six, leaving Sri Lanka needing only two runs from the final over. Those two runs did not take long to complete, with Sri Lanka sealing a four-wicket victory off the second ball of the last over.
Harshitha, the true heroine of Sri Lanka’s victory, finished unbeaten on 48 from 37 balls, with 4 fours and 2 sixes. Kaushini Nuthyangana provided valuable support, remaining at the crease with an unbeaten 11 from 9 balls. Harshitha was also named Player of the Match for this exceptional innings.
Sri Lanka’s bowlers had earlier prevented Bangladesh from posting a big total. Chamudi Prabodha took 3 wickets for 21 runs from 4 overs, while Sugandika Kumari claimed 2 wickets. Chamari Athapaththu and Kavisha Dilhari took one wicket apiece.
Sobhana Mostary scored 34 and Dilara Akter 26 for Bangladesh, but Sri Lanka’s disciplined bowling restricted them to only 114 from their 20 overs.
With this victory, Sri Lanka advanced unbeaten to the last four after winning every match they played in the first round of the Women’s Asia Cup. Sri Lanka will therefore face the second-placed team from Group ‘A’ in the second semi-final, scheduled for September 11. India are due to face the second-placed team from Group B in the first semi-final on September 10.
Bangladesh Women 114 for 8 after 20 overs – (Dilara Akter 26, Juairiya Ferdous 14, Sobhana Mostary 34, Fatima Khatun 14, Chamudi Prabodha 21/3, Sugandika Kumari 22/2, Chamari Athapaththu 20/1, Kavisha Dilhari 17/1)
Sri Lanka Women – 115/6 (19.2 overs) Harshitha Samarawickrama not out 48, Nilakshika Silva 18, Kaushini Nuthyangana not out 11, Imesha Dulani 12, Chamari Athapaththu 01, Sanjana Kavindi 09, Vishmi Gunaratne 09, Kavisha Dilhari 03, Marufa Akter 21/3, Sultana Khatun 14/1, Ritu Moni 29/1)
Based on Sri Lanka Cricket reporting