Athapaththu, Dilhari fire Sri Lanka into Asian Games semifinal

Sri Lanka booked a spot in the semifinal of the Women’s cricket competition at the Asian Games after an 86-run win over Malaysia in the third quarterfinal at Korogi Sports Park, Nisshin on Friday (September 18). Both Chamari Athapaththu and Kavisha Dilhari starred in all-round capacities, scoring 63 and 44 not-out respectively before picking up two wickets each.

After opting to bat first, Sri Lanka endured a quiet start, making just 10 runs from the first four overs while also losing Imesha Dulani. The fifth over marked a change in tempo with Athapaththu taking 23 runs off Aisya Eleesa. That was followed by Hasini Perera striking two fours in the following over as Sri Lanka reached 38 for 1 at the end of the Powerplay.

Athapaththu continued to make merry and brought up her fifty off just 28 balls with a six in the 11th over. The partnership had swelled to 80 before Nurin Imanina struck twice in the space of three overs to remove both set batters. Malaysia’s respite was short-lived as another substantial partnership worth 62 brewed between Dilhari and Harshitha Samarawickrama. Dilhari struck all six of her boundaries after the 16th over, powering Sri Lanka to 160 for 4.

Dilhari then returned to cause early damage with the ball too as she dismissed Wan Julia and Mas Elysa off successive deliveries to end the sixth over. Malaysia, who had already lost Ainna Hamizah Hashim to a run-out in the first over, finished the Powerplay on 25 for 3. They continued to struggle against the Sri Lankan bowlers for the for the remainder of the innings and were unable to get anywhere close to the asking rate.

Just one boundary was struck between overs seven and 18 as Malaysia added just 40 runs in that period. The result of the game was a foregone conclusion when Athapaththu claimed two wickets in the 19th over. Mithali Ayodhya too added two wickets to her tally in the final over as Malaysia were restricted to just 74 for 7.

Sri Lanka are now set to face Pakistan in the first semifinal on Sunday (September 20).

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