Sri Lanka Women Dominate Malaysia in Historic T20 Encounter

In a resounding display of cricketing prowess, the Sri Lanka Women’s cricket team triumphed over the Malaysia Women’s team by a remarkable margin of 144 runs in the seventh match of the Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2024. The match unfolded at the scenic Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, showcasing the skills and determination of the players on the field.

The match commenced with Sri Lanka winning the toss and opting to bat first, a decision that would pay off handsomely. Leading the charge for Sri Lanka was captain Chamari Athapaththu, who etched her name in the annals of women’s cricket history by scoring an extraordinary 119 runs off just 69 balls. Athapaththu’s innings was a masterclass in timing and power hitting, marking the first century ever recorded in the Women’s T20 Asia Cup.

Alongside Athapaththu, Anushka Sanjeewani made a commendable contribution, scoring 31 runs off 24 balls. Together, they propelled Sri Lanka to a formidable total of 184 runs for the loss of four wickets in their allotted 20 overs. The Malaysian bowlers faced a challenging task, with Winifred Duraisingam leading the charge, returning with figures of 2 wickets for 34 runs across four overs, while Mahirah Izzati Ismail also chipped in with a wicket, finishing with figures of 1 for 23.

In response, Malaysia Women struggled significantly against the disciplined Sri Lankan bowling attack. Their innings was a tough affair as they crumbled for a mere 40 runs, all out in 19.5 overs. Shashini Gimhani was the standout performer for Sri Lanka with the ball, claiming 3 wickets for just 9 runs. Kavisha Dilhari also made her mark, taking 2 wickets for 4 runs, with both bowlers putting immense pressure on the opposition.

The match witnessed a series of swift dismissals for Malaysia as they lost wickets at regular intervals. Elsa Hunter was the top scorer for Malaysia with a paltry 10 runs. The rest of the batting lineup struggled to settle in, with Aina Najwa managing only 9 runs before being dismissed. The Sri Lankan bowlers consistently outsmarted their counterparts, leading to an early end to the Malaysian innings.

This match serves as a significant wake-up call for the Malaysian squad, who had entered the contest following a heavy defeat against Thailand in their opening match of the tournament. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, carried momentum from a convincing seven-wicket victory over Bangladesh, showcasing their superiority in the format.

Athapaththu’s performance, not only significant on a personal level, serves as an inspiration for young women cricket players across the cricketing world. Her achievement of scoring the first-ever century in the Women’s T20 Asia Cup is a testament to the rising standards of women’s cricket, which has been gaining popularity and recognition globally.

The match was streamed live, providing fans across Asia an opportunity to witness the thrilling contest. The Asian Cricket Council has taken steps to promote women’s cricket by broadcasting these matches widely and hosting prestigious tournaments, paving the way for future stars in the sport.

As the tournament progresses, the Sri Lanka Women team looks to build on this momentum, while Malaysia Women aim to regroup and address their weaknesses ahead of subsequent matches. Both teams will have important lessons to take away from this encounter.

With cricket in women’s sports rapidly evolving, this match stands as a reminder of the talent within the women’s game and the exciting possibilities that lie in the future. As national teams continue to compete on platforms like the Asia Cup, the sport is set to grow even more, capturing the hearts and minds of fans worldwide.