Sri Lanka registered a hard-fought win over West Indies in the first match of the 3-match Women’s T20I series, played today (24th June) at Hambantota.
After winning the toss, Sri Lanka Skipper Chamari Athapaththu invited the visitors to bat first. Another disciplined bowling performance from Sri Lanka saw that West Indies were restricted to 134/8 in the allotted 20 overs.
>>Sri Lanka Women’s T20I squad announced for West Indies series<<
Athapaththu produced her career-best bowling performance in T20Is, scalping 4 wickets for 29 runs in her 4-over spell. The off-spinner Inoshi Fernando also stood out with the ball, claiming 3 wickets for 28 runs.
In the run-chase, Sri Lanka faced early setback as they lost their Skipper Athapaththu for just 1 run in the 3rd over of the innings. However, the opening batter Vishmi Gunaratne and No. 3 batter Harshitha Samarawickrama steadied the innings, adding a 46-run stand for the second wicket.
Gunaratne and Samarawickrama both scored 35 runs each, while the middle order batter Hasini Perera also contributed with vital 20 runs as the hosts crossed over the line in the 19th over with 4 wickets in hand.
>>Sri Lanka humiliate West Indies to complete whitewash<<
The second match of the 3-match T20I series between the sides will be played on the 26th of June at the same venue.
Brief Scores
West Indies – 134/8 (20) Hayley Matthews 30, Aaliyah Alleyne 26, Qiana Joseph 20, Chamari Athapaththu 4/29, Inoshi Fernando 3/28
Sri Lanka – 137/6 (18.4) Vishmi Gunaratne 35, Harshitha Samarawickrama 35, Hasini Perera 20, Afy Fletcher 2/29
Result – Sri Lanka won by 4 wickets
 at Hambantota.){kind=link}