The comprehensive win, completed with 27 balls to spare, successfully kept Sri Lanka’s tournament hopes alive while showcasing one of the most explosive individual batting displays of the competition. [
Opting to field first, Sri Lanka’s bowling attack immediately put Ireland on the back foot, dismantling their top order to leave them struggling at 30 for 3 during the powerplay. Ireland captain Gaby Lewis spearheaded a resilient recovery, anchors away with a gritty 59 off 50 balls. Supported by Alice Tector’s quickfire 28, Ireland managed to rebuild and post a competitive total of 130 for 5 in their allotted 20 overs. Mithali Ayodhya Bandara was the pick of the Sri Lankan bowlers, delivering a highly disciplined spell of 1 for 18 across her four overs.
The chase, however, turned into a one-woman show as Athapaththu dismantled the Irish bowling attack from the outset. The Sri Lankan skipper smashed an unbeaten 106 off just 61 balls, a breathtaking innings laced with 17 boundaries and two sixes. Ireland’s bowlers had no answers for her aggressive stroke play as Sri Lanka effortlessly cruised to 134 for 1 in 15.3 overs. Athapaththu’s stellar all-round performance, which also included a wicket earlier in the day, rightfully earned her the Player of the Match honors.
