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Athapaththu and Ranaweera help Sri Lanka stun South Africa in WC opener

image-ldzek2q4South Africa got a disastrous start to their WC campaign [Source: Twitter]

Riding on a sensational fifty from Chamari Athapaththu and a spectacular bowling spell from Inoka Ranaweera, Sri Lanka Women pipped their South African counterparts by a narrow three-run margin in the opening match of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup. 


Athapaththu and Gunaratne power Sri Lanka to a decent total

image-ldzegngvChamari Athapaththu in action [Source: Twitter]

After being put into bat, Sri Lanka Women had a disastrous start to their innings, losing Harshitha Madavi cheaply. However, skipper Athapaththu and Vishmi Gunaratne steadied the Lankan ship, stitching a match-winning 86-run stand for the second wicket. 

While Athapaththu slammed a 50-ball 68 with twelve gorgeous boundaries, Gunaratne added crucial 35 runs to the visitors' tally. 

However, after they got out in consecutive deliveries in the 18th over, Sri Lanka couldn't get a fitting finish to their innings, managing 129 runs in 20 overs. 

For South Africa, Shabnim Ismail, Marizanne Kapp and Nadine de Klerk scalped one wicket each. 

Ranaweera's masterclass restrict South Africa to 126

image-ldzej7xuInoka Ranaweera dismantled South Africa [Source: Twitter]

Chasing a mere 130, South Africa Women got a decent start, with openers Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits adding 29 runs for the first wicket. However, things started taking a U-turn for the hosts as soon as Inoka Ranaweera came into the attack. 

The slow left-armer bamboozled the host batters with her wily variations, dismissing the three pillars of their batting lineup, Wolvaardt, Marizanne Kapp and skipper Sune Luus. 

Another left-arm spinner Sugandika Kumari got rid of the dangerous Chloe Tryon and Anneke Bosch. 

Although Sinalo Jafta and Shabnim Ismail looked set, two horrible miscommunications led to their runouts, ensuring Sri Lanka's close win in this encounter. 


Brief Scores

Sri Lanka Women: 129/4 (20)
Chamari Athapaththu 68 (50), Vishmi Gunaratne 35 (34);
Marizanne Kapp 1/15 (4), Shabnim Ismail 1/22 (4)

South Africa Women: 126/9 (20)
Sune Luus 28 (27), Laura Wolvaardt 18 (23);
Inoka Ranaweera 3/18 (4), Oshadi Ranasinghe 2/20 (4)

Sri Lanka Women won by three runs.