Chamari Athapaththu delivered a stunning unbeaten 119 off 69 balls to lead Sri Lanka to a commanding 144-run victory over Malaysia in the Women’s Asia Cup in Dambulla. Her innings, which included 7 fours and 7 sixes, was the highlight of the match as Sri Lanka posted 184 for 4.
Athapaththu, starting slowly, accelerated after a solid start, including a lifeline when she was dropped on 56. She eventually turned on the aggression, scoring 68 runs in the final 9 overs and achieving the first-ever century in Women’s Asia Cup history. Her partnership with Harshitha Samarawickrama, who contributed 31 off 24, was pivotal in Sri Lanka’s impressive total.
Shashini Gimhani, a 15-year-old ambidextrous wrist-spinner, was exceptional with the ball, taking 3 for 9. Her left-arm wrist-spin dismantled the Malaysian lineup early, leaving them in disarray. Malaysia’s chase never gained momentum, collapsing to 40 all out. Gimhani’s figures included two wickets in the powerplay and proved crucial in dismissing the top order.
Malaysia’s only resistance came from Aina Najwa, who batted through 43 balls for 9 runs. Despite a late flurry from Winifred Duraisingam, who took two wickets in the final overs, Malaysia’s innings ended in a lopsided defeat.
This dominant performance not only boosts Sri Lanka’s campaign in the tournament but also showcases Athapaththu’s batting prowess and Gimhani’s promising potential. Moreover, as they prepare for the T20 World Cup, this win serves as a significant confidence builder for the team.
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