In a rain‑invaded match at Colombo’s R. Premadasa Stadium, Sri Lanka’s women managed to score 105 runs for the loss of seven wickets in a shortened 20‑over game against South Africa. The win‑probability table, after the interruption, set South Africa a revised target of 121 runs to win using the DLS method.
Vishmi Gunaratne made a calm opening stand with skipper Chamari Athapaththu after Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bat first. Gunaratne’s polished stroke play gave the hosts an early rhythm, and the pair rotated the strike well. But when a stray throw from bowler Ayabonga Khaka struck Gunaratne on the left knee, she had to retire hurt and leave the field on a stretcher. Hasini Perera replaced her, but South Africa’s Masabata Klaas dismissed Perera for just four and then took Athapaththu for 11, putting Sri Lanka under pressure with 12 overs done.
Heavy showers then halted play for an extended pause. When cricket resumed, the match was cut down to 20 overs. Sri Lanka, fighting back from a shaky position, added 59 runs in the final eight overs, using quick edges and tight bowling from the lower order. Kavisha Dilhari and Nilakshi de Silva contributed handy cameo scores of 14 and 18, respectively, to seal a competitive total of 105/7.
South Africa’s bowlers looked to keep the score manageable, and Nonkululeko Mlaba stood out with figures of 3 for 30. Klaas had already taken two wickets early, setting the tone, but the hosts’ top‑order collapse left the visitors facing a revised target.
In short:
– Sri Lanka 105 for 7 in 20 overs (Vishmi Gunaratne 34, Nilakshika Silva 14)
– South Africa 0 for 0 in 0 overs currently; revised target 121 overs
– Key performers: Nilkululeko Mlaba (3/30), Masabata Klaas (2/18) for South Africa; Vishmi Gunaratne, Chamari Athapaththu for Sri Lanka.
The ICC Women’s World Cup table rewards Sri Lanka for a fightback under rain, while South Africa will have a tough chase that could hinge on their batters’ resilience and the pitch conditions at Premadasa.
Source: ianslive
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