Sri Lanka waltz into semi-finals against Pakistan

Chamari Athapaththu and Vishmi Gunaratne carried Sri Lanka to victory with an unbroken stand of 94 

•  Beat Thailand in final game to top group

Sri Lanka waltzed into the semi-finals against Pakistan with a thumping ten-wicket win over Thailand in their final Group A match of the Women’s T20 Asia Cup played under lights at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium yesterday.

It was a bit of an anti-climatic finish to the contest as Sri Lanka Captain Chamari Athapaththu on 49 attempted a cut shot to get to her half-century, but missed it and as the wicket-keeper fumbled with the ball she ran a bye. Player of the Match Athapaththu’s 35-ball innings comprised 2 fours and 4 sixes, while her opening partner Vishmi Gunaratne finished on 39* off 34 balls (4 fours, 1 six).

Winning the toss and choosing to bat first Thailand managed only 93-7 of which Nannapat Koncharoenkai scored an undefeated 47 off 53 balls (5 fours). Thailand came out attacking but kept losing wickets to a series of misguided hits. Sri Lanka were sensational on the field which is a facet of their cricket today.

In the semi-finals on Friday, India plays Bangladesh at 2 pm and Sri Lanka takes on Pakistan at 7 pm.

Scores: Thailand Women 93-7 (20) (Nannapat Koncharoenkai 47*, Kavisha Dilhari 2/13)

Sri Lanka Women 94-0 (11.3) (Vishmi Gunaratne 39*, Chamari Athapaththu 49*)