BENONI: Bangladesh batter Afia Prottasha and Shorna Akter struck half-centuries to aid their side to thrash Sri Lanka by 10 runs in the ongoing ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2023.

Put into bat first, Bangladesh piled a commendable 165/2 in their quota of 20 overs at the back of brilliant half-centuries from Prottasha and Shorna. Bangladesh openers Prottasha and Misty Shaha gave them a solid start with a 75-run opening stand with the former leading the charge. Sri Lanka finally found a moment to cherish in the 12th over when Rashmi Nethranjali castled Prottasha before Shaha got run out in the same over as Bangladesh slipped to 79/2.

Prottasha remained the top-scorer for her side with 53 off 43 balls, hitting five boundaries and a six, while Shaha could score 14 off 24. Following the slump, wicketkeeper-batter Dilara Akter and Shorna charged on the Sri Lankan bowlers and added an unbeaten 86-run stand in just 51 balls, propelling Bangladesh to a decent total. Shorna was the core aggressor of the match-defining partnership as she remained unbeaten with her quickfire 50 off just 28 deliveries including three fours and two sixes, while Dilara struck 36 off 27 deliveries.

Nethranjali remained the only Sri Lankan bowler to find a breakthrough as she returned with figures of 1/30, while the rest went wicketless. Set to chase 166, Sri Lanka fell 10 runs short despite the fifties from captain Vishmi Gunaratne and Dewmi Vihanga.

Earlier, the side had a dismal start to their run chase as they lost both their openers Nethmi Senarathna and Sumudu Nisansala cheaply; causing the side to slip at 24/2 in the fourth over. Following the slump, Sri Lankan skipper Gunaratne and Vihanga anchored the run chase as they raised 96 runs for the third wicket but remained too slow. The mounting run rate left the duo with no choice but to slog hard at almost every ball which resulted in Vihanga falling briefly after her half-century. She scored 55 off 44 balls and smashed nine boundaries including two sixes.

Following her departure, none of the batters could contribute significantly in the run chase and Sri Lanka, consequently, fell 10 runs short with Gunaratne unbeaten on 60. She top-scored for her side with 60 off 54 balls with the help of eight boundaries and a six but was unable to steer her side to glory.

Published in The Daily National Courier, January, 17 2023

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