Chamari Athapaththu’s 52 propels Sri Lanka Women to 114/7 in 20 overs against South Africa in T20 World Cup 2016
Chamari Athapaththu's 52 propels Sri Lanka Women to 114/7 in 20 overs against South Africa in T20 World Cup 2016
A brilliant knock of 52 by Chamari Athapaththu guided Sri Lanka Women to 114/7 in their 20 overs against South Africa in Match 20 of Women’s T20 World Cup 2016 at Chinnaswamy stadium, Bengaluru. Athapaththu was the lone fighter in a side, which failed to deal with pace and spin of South African attack. Athapaththu’s 52 came of 49 balls, as she led from the front with some beautiful shots. She was run out by Marizanne Kapp in the 17th over trying to run for a single. For South Africa, Kapp and Sune Luus bowled beautifully, taking two wickets each and restricting the Lankan women to 114. South Africa will finish ahead of Sri Lanka in the group if they win this game. FULL SCORECARD: South Africa Women vs Sri Lanka Women, 20th T20 Match, Group A
Sri Lanka Women won the toss and chose to bat. Both the sides were hoping to end their campaign on a high, following just one victory in three games. And Sri Lanka got off to a decent start, scoring 23 after 3.5 overs, before Yasoda Mendis was bowled by Shabnim Ismail. The captain Chamari Athapaththu though, was looking very good, playing some beautiful shots. After the end of powerplay, Sri Lanka were 32 for 1. They were playing intelligently, before a yorker in the 9th over from Marcia Letsoalo bowled Dilani Manodara for 4, leaving Sri Lanka at 42/2. Sri Lanka ended the first half of the innings on 50/2, with Athapaththu scoring 31 of them.
The 12th over saw Sri Lanka make a move on, with Athapaththu scoring a six and four en-route to getting 12 runs from the over. Sri Lanka moved to 66/2, with Athapaththu looking mesmirising on 44. The second ball of the 14th over saw Sanjeevani getting stumped of Luus’ bowling, which bought in Prasadani Weerakkody. Athapaththu reached her half-century of just 48 deliveries in the 16th over. But her innings was ended soon in the 17th over, as good work from Marizanne Kapp of her bowling made sure Sri Lankan skipper is run out. Her partner Weerakkody was also gone in the 18th over, as Sri Lanka ended that over at 104/5. The 19th over saw some outstanding bowling in show, as Kepp conceded just 1 run, and took 2 wickets.