Sri Lanka keeps semi-final hopes alive

Sri Lanka’s third group fixture against Bangladesh was worked off at Saint Lucia a few hours ago, as the reigning Asian champions fell 25 runs short thanks to a spectacular allround performance by Shashikala Siriwardena.

After winning the toss Bangladeshi skipper Salma Khatun put the Lankans into bat first. Sri Lanka was off to a horrendous start losing the prize wicket of Yasoda Mendis in the very first ball of the innings. The Lankans needed to consolidate partnerships to makes sure a decent target was set on the board.

Thanks to some disciplined batting performances from wicketkeeper batsman Dilani Manodara and Skipper Chamari Attapattu the Lankan scorecard kept ticking in the initial stages. By the end of the powerplay overs the Lankans were in a spot of bother losing 3 wickets for 30 runs, as Sri Lanka’s most dependable all-rounder Shashikala Siriwardena joined Skipper Attapattu at the crease to revive the Lankan innings.

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Siriwardena’s approach was quite outstanding as the situation required someone to play through the middle overs before the big shots came in. A disastrous mix up between the pair cost the important wicket of Attapattu as the Lankan innings sunk deeper at 4 for 49 in the 12th over. Hard-hitting batsman Eshani Kaushalya could not do much damage with the bat as she was dismissed for a mere 9 runs.

Sri Lanka’s problems went from bad to worse as Siriwardena stood helpless with wickets falling at the other end. The final 4 overs were when Siriwadena bought in the fireworks in which Sri Lanka accumulated 32 important runs to set a target of 98 for the Bangladeshi women.

Siriwardena’s innings consisted of two fours and a massive six. Jahanara Alam hit the woodwork a couple of times including the much needed wicket of Siriwardena in the final over to finish with figures of 3 for 21.

Defending a target of 98 the Sri Lankan women had to showcase a special bowling performance to have any hope of reaching the semis.  Left arm seamer Udeshika Prabodhani gave the Bangladeshi women a taste of their own medicine as she trapped Sanjida Islam lbw in the very first ball of the innings. Prabodhani was not satisfied with one as she once again trapped another Bangladeshi leg before 2 deliveries later. The confidence levels of the Lankan women skyrocketed as victory was in sight.

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By the end of the powerplay overs the Bangladesh women were 20 for the loss of 2. Attapattu and Siriwardena picked up 5 wickets between them to leave Bangladesh stranded at 6 for 44 by the 14th over. Nigar Sultana helped Bangladesh rebuild the innings but some smart glove work by Manodara saw Bangladesh’s hope of victory back in the hut the very next over. Bangladesh was bowled out in the penultimate over of the innings for 72.  Skipper Attapattu was the chief destroyer picking up 3 wickets for 17 runs with Shashikala Siriwardena and Udeshika Prabodhani picking up 2 wickets a piece. Nigar Sultana top scored for Bangladesh with 20 runs.

With this win Sri Lanka move to 2nd place in Group A sharing three points each with England. Sri Lanka will play host West Indies on the 17th at the same venue.

Shashikala Siriwardena was named Player of the Match for impeccable allround performance.