Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu produced a sensational career-best spell of 7 for 5, including a hat-trick, to lead Sri Lanka to a commanding 75-run victory over Indonesia in their second Women’s Asia Cup fixture on Wednesday (September 2).
Athapaththu’s remarkable figures were the best ever recorded by a Sri Lankan bowler in Women’s T20Is and her first five-wicket haul in international cricket.
Sri Lanka, sent in to bat, recovered from a precarious 62 for six to post 124 for seven in their 20 overs, with Nilakshika Silva anchoring the innings with a vital 50.
Indonesia initially put Sri Lanka under pressure with disciplined bowling, reducing them to 36 for four by the eighth over. Silva remained at the crease through a 43-ball boundary drought before launching a late counterattack to bring up her third T20I half-century.
Chasing 125, Indonesia started positively but soon struggled against Sri Lanka’s spin attack. Athapaththu opened the collapse by bowling Pangestuti, before Sugandika Kumari dismissed Dewi.
Athapaththu then struck twice in two deliveries as Indonesia slipped to 29 for five after 10 overs.
With the Indonesian batters unable to score freely, Sri Lanka tightened the pressure. Athapaththu returned for a devastating final burst, dismissing Ni Ariani, Maypriani and Paramitha with consecutive deliveries to complete a hat-trick.
Indonesia were bowled out for just 49 in 18.3 overs, giving Sri Lanka a comprehensive 75-run victory.
Athapaththu finished with astonishing figures of 7/5, while Sugandika Kumari claimed 1/3 .
Brief scores: Sri Lanka Women 124/7 in 20 overs (Nilakshika Silva 50, Sanjana Kavindi 15; Dewi 3/23, Maypriani 2/19) beat Indonesia Women 49 all out in 18.3 overs (Suwandewi 12, Pangestuti 10; Chamari Athapaththu 7/5, Sugandika Kumari 1/3) by 75 runs.
