Sri Lanka Women’s overcame the resilient UAE team in the all-important Semi Final game of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier 2024 played yesterday (5th of May) at Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
United Arab Emirates Skipper Esha Oza won the toss and invited the Sri Lankan camp to have a bat first in Abu Dhabi.
The dynamic Sri Lankan opening pair, Chamari Athapaththu and Vishmi Gunarathne, yet again laid a solid foundation upfront. The duo passed the 50-run mark for the third time this tournament, ensuring the team got a solid start.
The tournaments’ second-highest run-getter Vishmi Gunarathne once again top-scored for Sri Lanka by scoring 45 runs. Harshitha Samarawickrama and Chamari Athapaththu also contributed to the total with 24 and 21 runs respectively to take the Sri Lankan total to a competitive 149 runs.
In response, UAE Skipper Esha Oza came to the crease with all guns blazing, scoring a quickfire fifty 66. Her innings comprised two fours and four massive sixes. Kushi Sharma too tried her best by scoring 23, but her inning needed more momentum to take UAE over the line.
- Vishmi carries her bat in Sri Lanka’s win against Uganda
- Sri Lanka outclass Scotland to register second consecutive win
Chamari Athpaththu starred with the ball for Sri Lanka by picking up 2 for 28 runs in her four overs, while Udeshika Prabodhini, Sugandika Kumari and Inoshi Priyadharshani grabbed one wicket each.
Udeshika Prabodhini’s crucial breakthrough dismissed the UAE Skipper when she was in full flow, shifting the momentum in Sri Lanka’s favor. Prabodhini’s timely breakthrough made the task challenging for the UAE batters despite their efforts – ultimately, the Emiratis fell short by 15 runs of their target securing a hard-fought victory for Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka will face off against Scotland in the finals on the 7th of May at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
Brief Scores:
Sri Lanka ‘W’ – 149/6 (20) Vishmi Gunarathne 45, Harshitha Samarawickrama 24, Chamari Athapaththu 21, Esha Oza 2/27, Vaishnave Mahesh 2/33
UAE ‘W’ – 134/7 (20) Esha Oza 66, Khushi Sharma 22, Chamari Athapaththu 2/28, Sugandika Kumari 1/21, Inoshi Priyadharshini 1/29, Udeshika Prabodhini 1/31
 at Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi.){kind=link}