Sri Lanka has effectively guaranteed their spot in the Women’s Asia Cup 2024 semi-finals with their commanding 144-run victory. The team captained by Chamari Athapaththu was far superior to the Malaysian cricketers, who had severe problems at the bat and never appeared at ease.
When the hosts batted first, they lost opener Vishmi Gunaratne early on, but it didn’t derail Sri Lanka’s strategy. Leading by example, the captain scored 119 runs off of 69 deliveries to assist the team in putting up 184/4 in the opening innings. The Lankan Lionesses looked perfect at one point, so it didn’t concern them that there wasn’t much support from the other end.
In instance, Chamari became the first cricketer to score a century in the history of the Women’s Asia Cup T20, smashing 14 boundaries and seven sixes. With the bat, she led Sri Lanka to victory and exerted tremendous pressure on Malaysia, who for the most part seemed lost while using the ball.
Malaysia were on the defensive and didn’t want to win the game when it came to the chase. The Sri Lankan bowlers dominated them and prevented any opportunity for the Malaysian hitters to score. They nearly failed to chase a huge score after losing three wickets in the powerplay.
In the end, no one of their batsmen scored more than ten runs, as Malaysia was bowled out for forty in 19.5 overs. Shashini Gimhani was outstanding for Sri Lanka, taking three wickets for nine runs in four overs. Kawya Kavindi and Kavisha Dilhari, two young players, each took two wickets.
Additionally, Sri Lanka improved their net run rate during the match, which will be helpful if they fall short against Thailand in their season-ending league match. On the other hand, the encounter between Thailand and Bangladesh will provide further context for the standings. If Bangladesh loses that game, the hosts will advance straight to the semifinals.
Here’s how X reacted to the Match 7 of Women’s Asia Cup between Sri Lanka and Malaysia:
Sri lanka women secure their 2nd victory in Asia Cup 2024, beating Malaysia by 144 runs.
#WomensAsiaCup2024 #Cricsl
— මදුරුවා
(@Maduruwaonline) July 22, 2024
A wicket in her 1st over of the game for 15-year-old Shashini Gimhani
#AsiaCup2024
— Estelle Vasudevan (@Estelle_Vasude1) July 22, 2024
15 yrs old left-arm wrist-spinner, Shashini Gimhani. So exciting for women’s cricket as a whole. Has good pace already, control will come with time.
— Karthik Raj (@kartcric) July 22, 2024
Chamari Athapaththu becomes First player to score Century in Women’s Asia Cup history. pic.twitter.com/IDczeHG7Cg
— Don Cricket
(@doncricket_) July 22, 2024
1st Player to score CENTURY in Women’s T20 Asia Cup
CHAMARI ATHAPATHTHU, Take a bow
pic.twitter.com/TgP5XicWod
— aawara in the city (@VikashJ13660845) July 22, 2024
Chamari Athapaththu blitzkrieg in Dambulla
First century in the history of Women’s Asia Cup
First WT20I century in Sri Lanka by any batter
” ONE-WOMEN-ARMY “of srilanka #CricketTwitter #asiacup2024 #WomensAsiaCup2024 #slvmal pic.twitter.com/WcUzGLjaNk
—
(@kothadanam) July 22, 2024
1st Player to score CENTURY in Women’s T20 Asia Cup
CHAMARI ATHAPATHTHU, Take a bow
#CricketTwitter #lk #WomensAsiaCup2024
ACC pic.twitter.com/t42Ex5Ry3V
— Lahiru Dushmantha (@ldushmanthe) July 22, 2024
Most sixes in an innings in Women’s Asia Cup
7 – Chamari Athapaththu
3 – Shafali Vermav MLY, 2022
3 – Richa Ghosh
3 – Aliya Riazv UAE, 2022
3 – Smriti MandhanaChamari more than twice the next best!! pic.twitter.com/Ijr2mgZ0Ta
— aawara in the city (@VikashJ13660845) July 22, 2024
Crazy acceleration from Chamari Athapaththu, going from 76 off 57 balls to 119 off 69 balls
43 runs in her last 12 balls, 5×6 & 1×4
Hitting of the highest order#AsiaCup2024 #WomensAsiaCup2024 #WomensAsiaCup #SLvMAL
— Mohit Shah (@mohit_shah17) July 22, 2024
India
