Sri Lanka Women’s cricket team started their quest of winning the Asian Games gold medal with a resounding 83-run win over Hong Kong Women’s team in the 2nd quarter-final played at Yeonhui Cricket Ground, Incheon on Tuesday.
Sri Lanka skipper Chamari Atapattu won the toss of coin and elected to bat first. Sri Lanka openers got off to a quick start before Yashoda Mendis was trapped LBW for 13 in the 3rd over. Skipper Chamari too fell for only 13 runs as Lankans were 44 for 2 down at the end of the powerplay overs.
Star all-rounder Shashikala Siriwardene was run-out for 10 as Lankans started to shift gears into attacking mode. Opener Lasanthi Madushani continued to anchor the innings with elegant stroke-making and she found an able partner in Chamari Polgampola as the 4th wicket pair put on a massive 76-run partnership to help Sri Lanka post the highest score of the tournament so far. Lasanthi was dismissed for a well-compiled 43 runs while Chamari made a run-a-ball 33 including 3 fours.
Eshani Lokusuriya blasted 2 fours in an entertaining blitz in the end overs as Sri Lanka finished on 149 for 5 at the end of 20 overs. Left-arm spinner Chan Sau Har bowled a tight spell of 4 overs conceding only 20 runs while capturing a wicket.
Chasing 150 runs to win, Hong Kong had no momentum in their innings from the start as they struggled to cope up with the discipline of the Lankan bowlers. Sripali Weerakkody started the mayhem as she took the first wicket in the 4th over and from their onwards, Hong Kong players lost wickets at regular intervals. Opening batswomen Keenu Gill was the only player to reach the double figures.
Right-arm off break bowler Shashikala Siriwardene captured 4 wickets for 13 runs in a brilliant spell as Hong Kong innings was wrapped up for 67 runs in the 18th over. Three run-outs in the Hong Kong innings assured the inexperience of their players in the big stage.
Sri Lanka will meet the winner of the 4th quarter-final between Bangladesh and Nepal in the semi-final match which is scheduled to play on the 25th of September.
Chief Scores:
Sri Lanka – 149/5 in 20 overs: Lasanthi Madushani 43, Chamari Polgampola 33, Eshani Lokusuriya 14*, Chan Sau Har 1/20.
Hong Kong – 67 all out in 17.2 overs: Keenu Gill 16, Shashikala Siriwardene 4/13.
