Dubai: Opening batter Harshitha Madavi’s 69-ball 81 helped Sri Lanka to score 156 for 5 in Sylhet and giving Sri Lanka its second successive win in the Women’s Asia Cup. Thailand’s middle-order hitter Chanida Sutthiruang attempted to lead the run chase but continued encountering partner problems and as a result, her team finally fell short of 49 runs.

Two days after deciding to bat first and winning, although in a truncated game, Sri Lanka made the decision to set a target once more and put on a stronger batting display. Before being bowled by Suleeporn Laomi, Madavi and captain Chamari Athapaththu had managed to accumulate 63 runs for the first wicket by the end of ninth over. Sri Lanka scored 156/5 despite Madavi’s wicket for 81 runs off just 69 balls in the 19th over and thanks to De Silva, who allowed the team to add 24 runs in the remaining two overs.

Due to their inability to build coalitions as Sri Lanka continued to make numerous incisions, Thailand struggled in the run chase.  Both the first batter, Nannapat Koncharoenkai, and one down batter Naruemol Chaiwai, had promising starts but rapidly ran into trouble. Sutthiruang extended the chase with her unbeaten 37 off 42, but her team’s failure to reach the target prevented her from getting the desired result. Brief Scorecard : Sri Lanka Women156/5 in 20 overs (Harshitha Madavi 81, Nilakshi de Silva 39*; Thipatcha Putthawong 2-26) beat Thailand Women 107/5 in 20 overs (Chanida Sutthiruang 37*; Achini Kulasuriya 2-19) by 49 runs.

Published in The Daily National Courier, October, 05 2022

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