Sri Lanka launched their Women’s Asia Cup campaign with a dominant performance, dismantling the United Arab Emirates for just 79 runs before cruising to a nine-wicket victory. The win, achieved with 73 balls remaining, stands as the largest margin of victory for Sri Lanka in T20I cricket based on balls to spare.
Opting to bowl first, the Sri Lankan attack immediately stifled the UAE. Mithali Ayodhya and Chethana Vimukthi were the primary destroyers, claiming three wickets each, while Sugandika Kumari added two. The UAE struggled from the outset; Mithali Ayodhya dismissed Theertha Satish for a duck in the fourth ball of the match, and Vimukthi removed Lavanya Keny in the fourth over to reduce the side to 8 for 2. Despite a brief attempt at a recovery from Esha Oza and Heena Hotchandani, the scoring rate remained stagnant, with the UAE reaching only 16 for 2 by the end of the Powerplay.
Pressure mounted as the innings progressed, with the UAE crawling to 31 for 3 at the halfway mark after facing 37 dot balls. Sugandika Kumari eventually ended Oza’s resistance at 18 off 24 balls, while Chamari Athapaththu claimed the wicket of Hotchandani for 10. Although Rinitha Rajith provided some late resistance with 15 off 16, the wickets continued to fall. Kavisha Dilhari removed Samaira Dharnidharka for 17, and Ayodhya returned to clean up the tail, bowling the UAE out in 19.5 overs.
In the chase, Sri Lanka’s openers ensured a rapid conclusion. Imesha Dulani played with fluency, striking five boundaries in her 25 off 18 balls, while captain Chamari Athapaththu anchored the innings. During her unbeaten 48 off 25, Athapaththu reached a significant milestone, becoming the first player to accumulate 500 runs in Women’s Asia Cup history. Her innings included a six off Esha Oza in the fourth over.
The opening pair put together a half-century partnership before Dulani was dismissed in a stroke of misfortune, run out after a drive from Athapaththu deflected off the bowler onto the stumps. Athapaththu remained at the crease to guide the team home alongside Sanjana Kavindi, finishing the match in just 7.5 overs.
Brief scores: UAE 79 all out in 19.5 overs (Esha Oza 18; Mithali Ayodhya 3-14, Chethana Vimukthi 3-16, Sugandika Kumari 2-18) lost to Sri Lanka 80/1 in 7.5 overs (Chamari Athapaththu 48*, Imesha Dulani 25) by 9 wickets. The report also notes that which was also the first of the innings, did not come until the 4.1 over, and UAE reached only 16 for 2 at the end of the Powerplay, oza’s first boundary. The report also notes that bowling UAE out for under 80, ayodhya then returned to remove the final two batters.
