Sri Lankan captain Chamari Athapaththu mentioned a fearless strategy was key to her workforce’s upset three-run win in opposition to hosts South Africa within the opening match of the Women’s T20 World Cup at Newlands in Cape Town on Friday. “No one expects Sri Lanka to win,” she mentioned. “We had no pressure so we could play fearless cricket. In this format rankings is just a number.” Athapaththu’s 68 off 50 balls enabled Sri Lanka to make 129 for 4 after they had been despatched in to bat.
Sri Lanka restricted South Africa to 126 for 9 with correct sluggish bowling backed by good fielding.
Left-arm spin bowler Inoka Ranaweera took three key wickets and conceded solely 18 runs in 4 overs, whereas fellow left-armer Sugandika Kumari and off-spinner Oshadhi Ranasinghe took two wickets apiece as South Africa had been unable to place collectively any substantial partnerships. Captain Sune Luus was the top-scorer with 28.
The left-handed Athapaththu hit 12 fours and shared a second-wicket partnership of 86 with 17-year-old Vishmi Gunarathne, who made 35.
They needed to soak up early stress and Sri Lanka scored solely 40 runs within the first 10 overs earlier than each gamers took the assault to the South African bowlers.
“Vishmi is an up-and-coming young superstar,” mentioned Athapaththu.
Luus mentioned the distinction between the edges was that Sri Lanka had a giant partnership whereas South Africa had none. Their greatest stand was 29 for the primary wicket between Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits.
Ranasinghe made the breakthrough when Brits was caught at cowl and the South African innings began to unravel when Ranaweera had main batters Kapp and Laura Wolvaardt caught in her first two overs.
When Kumari had the big-hitting Chloe Tryon caught within the deep and bowled Anneke Bosch two balls later South Africa had been in serious trouble at 72 for 5.
Athapaththu mentioned she believed Sri Lanka had the power to achieve the semi-finals regardless of being in the identical group as Australia and New Zealand. “But now our focus is on our next game against Bangladesh.”
Sri Lanka play Bangladesh at Newlands on Sunday as a part of an all-Asian double header which additionally options India and Pakistan.
South Africa are confronted with an enormous process if they’re to emerge from the group stage. Their subsequent match is in opposition to New Zealand in Paarl on Monday. “The World Cup still has a long way to go,” mentioned Luus.
Brief scores:
Sri Lanka 129-4 in 20 overs (C Athapaththu 68, V Gunarathne 35)
South Africa 126-9 in 20 overs (S. Kumari 2-28, O. Ranasinghe 2-20, I. Ranaweera 3-18)
Result: Sri Lanka gained by 3 runs
Toss: South Africa
(This story has been edited by Mahaz News employees …)
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